Indian men's and women's hockey teams to skip 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Indian men’s hockey team claimed an Olympic medal for the first time in 41 years, having finished at the third spot in Tokyo, earlier this year. On the other hand, the women’s team also played phenomenally, narrowly missing out on a medal, in their third-ever appearance at the Games.

“The Asian Games is the continental qualification event for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and keeping the priority of the Asian Games in mind, Hockey India cannot take a risk of any members of the Indian teams contracting COVID-19 during the above Commonwealth Games,” stated Hockey India President Gyanendro Nigombam, in a letter to the IOC (Indian Olympic Association).

The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham, England from July 28–August 8. Meanwhile, the Asian Games will be staged in Hangzhou, China, from September 10-25.

“There is only a 32-day window between the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games before the start of the Asian Games. It is pertinent to mention that due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, England has 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,” added the letter.