The Indian Hockey team has decided to pull out of the 2022 Common Wealth Games. The reasons cited by the management include, amid other issues, the mandatory 10-day quarantine rule and the COVID-19 situation in the UK, as it remains to be one of the worst-hit countries of Europe.
Prioritizing the Asian Games, Hockey India released a statement and also wrote a letter to Indian Olympic Association President, that they will be withdrawing from the 2022 tournament. Since Asian Games is a continental qualification event for the 2024 Olympics, the Indian management has decided to make it their priority. The Asian Games is set to begin just 32 days later in Hangzhou China.
The letter of Hockey India reads, “It is pertinent to mention that due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, England has issues guidelines that 10-day quarantine is required for Indian arrivals in England.” They further appealed that this is discrimination and biased against the Indian athletes. The 10-day break is bound to hamper their performance.
After their medal-winning outing in Tokyo, the Indian hockey team has resumed their practice in Bengaluru after a well-deserved break. SAI has ensured that all COVID-related protocols are followed in the camp. Players are provided with separate rooms as per the quarantine rule. Before the resumption of the training, the Indian coach told ANI, “the boys are all excited to resume the training and we are looking at our future engagements.”
