SYDNEY: Australia on Friday pulled out of several upcoming FIH tournaments, including the junior men’s hockey World Cup slated to be held in India later this year, citing COVID-19 related government travel restrictions.
The junior men’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in November-December this year. The venue is yet to be confirmed, but as reported earlier Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are currently being vetted as potential tournament hosts.
Hockey Australia also announced that the Tokyo Olympics silver medallists and their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand will also skip season 3 of the Pro League, which starts next month.
“Based on risk assessment and current Australian government health advice, Hockey Australia is not considering overseas hockey-related trips at this time,” said HA Acting CEO, Michael Johnston.
Apart from the tournament in India and Pro League, Australia will also miss the junior women’s World Cup in South Africa later this year and the Indoor World Cup in Belgium and the Masters Indoor World Cup in the USA in 2022.
Related Reports
Oz, NZ withdraw from 2021/22 FIH Hockey Pro League
