Hockey India pulls out of 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games due to COVID

New Delhi: Hockey India on Tuesday withdrew from Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in England’s Birmingham next year, citing Covid-19 situation in the country and the discriminatory 10 days quarantine policy for Indian travelers.

"There is only a 32-day window between the Commonwealth Games scheduled in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8 and Asian Games are scheduled in Hangzhou from September 10 to 25. Asian Games is the continental qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and keeping the priority of the Asian Games in mind, Hockey India cannot take a risk for any members contracting Covid," Gyanandro Ningombam, president of Hockey India, said in a letter to Indian Olympic Association president.

He said that India will not be sending its men and women's teams to the Commonwealth Games 2022 and urged them to notify the organizers.

Ningombam further wrote, “England has issued guidelines 10 days quarantine is required for travelers of the country even for those who are fully vaccinated. We feel these restrictions are biased against India and term it as very unfortunate.”

In the letter, Hockey India president observed that England has been the worst-affected country among the Europe.

It is pertinent to mention that the UK last month had imposed Covid-related restrictions even on those Indians who have received two doses of the vaccine.

On Monday, England had announced to pull out of the Junior World Cup scheduled to be held in Odisha from next month, citing COVID situation. (UNI)