GUMLA: The 11th junior women’s national hockey tournament scheduled to begin in Simdega from April 3 was called off on Wednesday after 11 players and a coach were reported Covid-19 positive.
Hockey India announced the decision in a notice that was also tweeted through its official handle on Wednesday. A total of 28 teams were expected to participate in the tournament, which was to be hosted for the first time by Simdega. The district had successfully organised the sub-junior women’s national hockey meet last month.
Of the 12 testing positive, five players and a coach are from Hockey Chandigarh and six players from Hockey Jharkhand.
After being apprised of the development, chief minister Hemant Soren virtually interacted with Hockey Jharkhand players who tested positive. Soren first asked them, “Although you have tested positive, are you scared of it and how are you?”
One of the players replied, “Sir we are fine despite being positive.”
He also spoke with Chandigarh players on a video chat and said, “You all needn’t worry as you will be properly taken care of here.” He assured the players that he will interact with them again in the future.
The Chandigarh team was the first to arrive here on Tuesday and soon their samples were collected. Samples of Hockey Jharkhand players were also sent for RT-PCR test the same day.
The infected persons have been shifted to a Covid care centre while the astro-turf stadium where the matches were to be held has been sealed. The rest of the players have been quarantined in a building located on the stadium premises on Tuesday night itself.
The organising committee comprising officials of the district administration, Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Simdega held an emergency meeting on Wednesday under Simdega DC Sushant Gaurav. In a press briefing, the DC said, “Under such a situation, the organising committee has decided to shelve the tournament for the time being.”
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said: “In light of the rising number of Covid-19 cases and after advice from the local state authorities, Hockey India in consultation with the host, Hockey Jharkhand, have arrived at the decision to postpone the 11th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2021, which was due to begin on 3rd April, 2021. Hockey Jharkhand received tremendous support from the state government to host the recently concluded 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2021, however, with new protocols and guidelines in the state to combat the rapid rise of cases, it was in the best interest of the players that this decision was taken. For Hockey India, player safety is paramount.”