The coronavirus has returned to haunt Indian hockey, as a member of the women’s squad has tested COVID positive during the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2021 in Donghae, which is now underway. “The Asian Hockey Federation regrets to inform that a positive COVID test result has been received from yesterday’s routine testing for a member of Team India. Today’s match between Korea and India is therefore not taking place. Further information will be provided soon,” said the Asian Hockey Federation on Twitter.
The Indian women’s team, who are competing in their debut event after placing fourth and missing out on a medal by a whisker at the Tokyo Olympics, opened with a 13-0 thrashing of Thailand. Due to COVID-related concerns with the Malaysian team, their match against them the next day was cancelled. The fact that a member of the Indian women’s hockey team has been detected with COVID has forced the cancellation of today’s match between India and the hosts, South Korea. Hockey India has yet to reveal the name of the team member who was infected, citing privacy concerns. The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2021, which began in Malaysia and is now in India, appears to be in serious jeopardy, with the Asian Hockey Federation officials considering cancelling the tournament.