NEW DELHI: Even as the coronavirus threat continues to wreak havoc on sporting calendars across the world, India on Friday pulled out of next month’s Shotgun World Cup in Cyprus.
The Shotgun World Cup, recognised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), is scheduled to be held in Nicosia from March 4 to 13, PTI reports.
The Indian team withdrew from the tournament on the advice of the government, a National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) source told the newswire.
“The coronavirus threat is the only reason we are pulling out and it has been done on the advice of central agencies,” he said.
“Given the situation it was the right decision as we can’t put our shooters, support staff and accompanying officials at risk of contracting the virus,” he added.
India is also scheduled to host a combined World Cup from March 16 to 26 at the Dr Karni Singh Range here.
The outbreak of the deadly disease has also affected the event, with seven countries already withdrawing.
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, North Korea, Turkmenistan and Bahrain have opted out due to the coronavirus crisis in these countries.
