Lockdown: Hockey India postpones all National Championships indefinitely

New Delhi: Hockey India on Tuesday postponed all its rescheduled national championships indefinitely after nationwide lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic was extended till May 3.

(Photo: Twitter)

These tournaments were rescheduled to begin on April 29 and continue till July 3, but postponed for now.

“Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent extension of the nationwide lockdown, Hockey India has taken a decision to postpone the remaining annual 2020 Hockey India National Championships keeping in mind the well-being of all our stakeholders including the players, Coaches, organisers, fans and officials,” HI President Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad said.

“These tournaments have been postponed indefinitely and we will announce new dates basis the evolution of the COVID-19 situation in India,” he added.

Ahmad said Hockey India is working with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all the other relevant Central and State Government departments to ensure that all necessary precautions are duly taken to maintain the public health.

He further stated that the participating member units must use this period to continue to update the member unit portal with player details.

“I would also like to urge all the participating Member Units to continue to update the Member’s portal with player’s registrations and use this time effectively,” Ahmad said.

The 2020 Hockey India National Championships that have been postponed indefinitely are as follows:

Junior Women National Championship 2020, Ranchi, Jharkhand (B & A Division) earlier scheduled from April 29 to May 9 and May 7 to May 17 respectively.

Junior Men National Championship 2020, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (B & A Division) earlier scheduled from May 14 to May 21 and May 19 to May 30 respectively.

Sub Junior Women National Championship 2020, Hisar, Haryana (B & A Division) earlier scheduled from May 3 to May 14 and May 12 to May 23 respectively.

Sub Junior Men National Championship 2020, Imphal, Manipur (B & A Division) earlier scheduled from May 28 to June 4 and June 3 to June 13 respectively.

Senior Men National Championship 2020, Guwahati, Assam (B Division) earlier scheduled from June 20 to July 3. (UNI)