Indian hockey teams have officially announced to pull out of 2022 Commonwealth Games citing COVID-19 situation in UK and mandatory 10-day quarantine rule for Indians.
Calling out England worst effected COVID-hit country in Europe, Hockey India released a statement saying that their priority is the Asian Games, which is subject qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In their letter addressed to Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra, the sports body requested to notify the organisers in advance. “It is pertinent to mention that due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, England have issued guidelines that 10 days quarantine is required for Indian arrivals in England, even for those who are fully vaccinated, since unfortunately the Indian vaccinations are not yet recognised by the English government.
“Such discriminatory restrictions were not imposed on Indian athletes and officials during the recent Tokyo Olympic Games and this 10 days quarantine requirement for vaccinated sports persons will affect their performances. We feel these restrictions are biased against India and term it as very unfortunate,” said the letter signed by Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam.
India men’s hockey team were the bronze medal winners at Tokyo Olympics while women’s team finished fourth in the marquee event.
