The Dutch women’s hockey team has pulled out of their back-to-back FIH Pro League matches against India to be played in Bhubaneswar on February 19 and 20 due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands, especially the highly contagious Omicron. Edition. Infection.
The Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB) said that it has requested the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to postpone the matches to a later date. But, Hockey India on Thursday expressed surprise at being dropped from the Dutch team.
“The KNHB medical committee issued a negative advisory for intercontinental travel in January. The advice of this committee is based on the high number of Omicron infections in the Netherlands,” the Dutch federation said in a statement.
“After mutual consultation and consultation with the players, the Dutch national team staff announced that they wish to follow this advice and do not wish to travel to India at this time.
“The visit to India will last only for six days. This means a possible infection in the Netherlands just before departure could result in a test positive in India. This could result, for example, in a mandatory quarantine or postponement of return travel.”
Hockey India, on the other hand, expressed surprise at the development.
Hockey India President Gyanandro Ningombam said, “Hockey India is deeply shocked by the decision to cancel the Netherlands tour of India … because of the negative medical report given by the KNHB Medical Committee.”
“With the COVID positivity rate in India being less than 5 per cent, we were confident of successfully hosting the matches in a safe bio bubble similar to the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup held at the same venue three months ago, where 16 teams participated. took.”
Hockey India said it is in touch with the FIH regarding the implications of the Netherlands team’s decision.
The Indian team, participating in the league for the first time, started their campaign with a bang on 31 January and 2 February by defeating China 7-1 and 2-1 in consecutive matches in Muscat, Oman.
The Netherlands team has so far won three matches in the league and drawn one.
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