The Indian hockey teams has pulled out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games citing the Covid-19 situation in the UK and the mandatory 10-day quarantine rule for Indians.
England is the worst-affected country in Europe, Hockey India released a statement saying that their priority is the Asian Games next year, which is the continental qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Commonwealth Games is scheduled to take place in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8 next year, there is only a 32-day gap before the Asian Games, which commences from September 10 in Hangzhou, China.
“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.
