New Delhi, October 10
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur today criticised Hockey India (HI) for unilaterally deciding to pull out of next year’s Commonwealth Games, saying the national federation is bound to consult the government before taking any such step.
}I think any federation should refrain from giving such statements and discuss with the government first because its just not federation’s team, its national team — Anurag Thakur, Sports minister
Thakur said being the main financier of Olympics sports in the country, the government has every right to take a call on matters of national representation. “I think any federation should refrain from giving such statements and discuss with the government first because its just not federation’s team, its national team,” he told reporters. “In a country of 130 crore population, there are not just 18 players to represent country. It (CWG) is a global event I feel that they (HI) should engage with government and concerned department. The decision will be taken by the government.”
Thakur’s strong statement came after HI pulled out of next year’s Birmingham CWG, citing Covid-19 concerns and UK’s discriminatory quarantine rules for travellers from India. HI also reasoned that there is only a 32-day window between the CWG (July 28-August 8) and the Asian Games (September 10-25), which is a direct qualifier for the 2024 Olympics. The minister said playing back-to-back tournaments is nothing new for professional sportspersons. — PTI
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