The Indian women’s hockey team is currently in quarantine in Donghae, South Korea and the identity of the player who has tested positive has not been revealed.
India had earlier defeated Thailand 13-0 in their opening match in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy (AFP Photo).
The Indian women’s hockey team was on Thursday ruled out of the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19, joining Malaysia, which has been diagnosed with the dreaded virus here. Was forced to withdraw after being hit.
A day after their matches against defending champions Korea and China were canceled respectively, a source in the Asian Hockey Federation confirmed that the Indian team is no longer participating in the event. The side is currently in quarantine and the identity of the player who tested positive has not been disclosed.
“India, the runner-up of the previous edition, has been ruled out of the tournament due to positive case in the team. India will no longer participate in the tournament,” said an AHF source.
Hockey India tweeted on Wednesday, “Keeping the health and safety of players paramount, Indian women’s hockey team will not play against China on December 9.”
The pandemic cast its shadow on the tournament itself on Monday when India’s second match against Malaysia was called off due to COVID-related issues.
Malaysia were eventually kicked out after one of its players, Nurul Faizah Shafiqah Khalim, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival.
India had earlier defeated Thailand 13-0 with five goals from drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur.
India is the highest-ranked participating team in the International Hockey Federation’s women’s rankings with ninth place.
The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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