Asian Champions Trophy: Indian women hockey player tests positive, match against Korea canceled

India’s hockey match against the hosts and defending champions Korea at the Asian Champions Trophy has been canceled after A member of the Indian women’s hockey team participating has tested positive for COVID-19.

After a Hockey India source confirmed to PTI that one player has tested positive, the Asian Hockey Federation too issued a statement about the development on its Twitter handle without elaborating on the details of the player concerned.

“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 at 15:00 between Korea and India is therefore not taking place. Further information will be provided soon,” the AHF tweeted.

However, there is no official confirmation on what happens to India’s remaining schedule in the tournament after the recent development. The team is due to take on China on Thursday in its next match.

The pandemic had cast its shadow on the tournament on Monday itself when India’s second match against Malaysia was canceled due to COVID-related issues.

Malaysia was forced to be absent from at least the first two days of the competition after one of its players, Nurul Faezah Shafiqah Khalim, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in South Korea.

According to sources, just like Malaysia, the Indian contingent is likely to undergo quarantine after the positive result. India who were the runners-up had earlier thrashed Thailand 13-0 with drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur scoring five goals.