Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 postponed as China struggles with huge Covid outbreak

upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games in China was postponed by Olympic Council of Asia on Friday with new date yet to be revealed according to Chinese media report. Asian Games were originally scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, from September 10 to 25. multi-sport event, which is organised every four years, has come under scanner due to rising cases of COVID-19 in country.

Shanghai entered a sudden lockdown back in late March with restrictions remaining in force across large parts of city. A part of Asian Games was scheduled to be held in in capital of Zhejiang province, which is around 175 kilometres southwest of Shanghai.

China haven't provided any official reason for postponement of Games but reports have stated that decision was taken due to country's strict zero-Covid policy after experiencing a huge surge in infections in recent months. 

Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 posponed: Olympic Council of Asia

Olympic Council of Asia has issued a statement which said,"  Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) has been very well prepared to deliver Games on time despite global challenges. However, above decision was taken by all stakeholders after carefully considering pandemic situation and size of Games".

statement furr read, " name and emblem of 19th Asian Games will remain unchanged, and OCA believes that Games will achieve complete success through joint efforts of all parties. Additionally, OCA EB also studied situation of 3rd Asian Youth Games, which was scheduled on 20-28 December this year in Shantou, China. After discussion with COC and Organising Committee, OCA EB decided that as Asian Youth Games had already been postponed once, Asian Youth Games Shantou 2021 will be cancelled. next Asian Youth Games will refore be held in 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan".

Postponement of Asian Games 'disappointment for athletes': IOA

" postponement of any big event or Games is a disappointment for athletes. y become older by some months or one year whatever is case when Games are rescheduled," Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta told PTI. "Many of our athletes had already started training and preparations for Asian Games, and IOA feels for m. postponement was on expected lines due to COVID-19 but this was t in our hands."

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper P R Sreejesh is of view that postponement of  Asian Games is a 'disappointment' but it gives m more time to prepare.

"It's a disappointment but somewhere down line we were expecting it considering situation in China. But we want to look at it from a positive point of view because we will get more time to prepare for Asian Games," Sreejesh told PTI.

"We already have experience of playing in a postponed Games (Tokyo Olympics), so we kw what it takes to remain in shape." " positive part is that re are plenty of tournaments lined up for us, like Asia Cup, Pro League matches in Belgium, Commonwealth Games and World Cup next year. dates of postponed Asian Games are yet to be anunced so we will get eugh time to prepare our best for Asian Games."

Meanwhile, All India Tennis Association (AITA) said postponement actually suits m since Asian Games and Davis Cup tie against rway won't clash w. "It's good for us. Our players won't be under pressure to play two big events in of seven days. We can send best teams to both events. We can concentrate on Davis Cup first and n prepare," said AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar.

Meanwhile, India's Olympic-bound swimmer Sajan Prakash admitted he will w have pull back drawing board and plan for ar year. "It affects me in way that I w have to keep up with ar year of competitions, one more extra year."