Australia has pulled itself out of the upcoming junior men’s hockey World Cup along with the several other Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) tournaments that are scheduled to take place later this year. The Aussies have cited their backing due to the COVID-19 travel restriction by the government. The tournament is scheduled to be commencing from November to December 2021.
ANNOUNCEMENT | The @Kookaburras and @Hockeyroos will not compete in the next edition of the #FIHProLeague.Hockey Australia has also confirmed non-attendance at various other @FIH_Hockey events over the coming months.Full story: https://t.co/6ajji1hA60 pic.twitter.com/ih70PthKVI
— Hockey Australia (@HockeyAustralia) September 17, 2021
Hockey Australia has made it public that the Tokyo Olympic silver medalists and their neighbouring country New Zealand shall also be missing the third edition of the FIH Pro League which is scheduled to begin in October this year.
“All participating countries and the FIH Pro League Council agreed it was untenable for international teams to travel to Australia and New Zealand, as well as for Australian and New Zealand teams to play overseas and return without having to quarantine,” read Hockey Australia’s statement on social media.
New Zealand and Australia have had one of the strict COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in place compare to many other countries. The acting CEO of Hockey Australia Michael Johnson had stated that the board will not consider overseas trips during the current times based on the risk assessment and the Australian government health advice. Apart from the Pro League and the Junior World Cup in India, The Aussies will also be missing the women’s junior World Cup in South Africa along with the Indoor World Cup in Belgium and the USA in 2022.
