Heartbreak as hockey world cup is called off
Women’s national indoor hockey team coach Erwin Handura says it is ‘heart-breaking’ that the world cup has been called off once again due to the coronavirus pandemic.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
The national indoor hockey team was bitterly disappointed yesterday when it was announced that the world cup had been called off yet again.
They had been preparing for the competition since October 2019.
The tournament had been scheduled to take place in Belgium from 2 to 6 February 2022.
“This was heart-breaking news for everyone, especially the players that have put in a shift to prepare for this global show piece,” coach Erwin Handura said yesterday.
“One could tell that everyone was touched by the news and understandably so, players are even more affected.
“Imagine having trained since October 2019 and then you are told that you can’t go and play at the biggest tournament of your life. It is sad and the players felt it.”
In a communication sent out yesterday, the World Indoor Hockey Federation and Hockey Belgium said they had to call off the event because of the current surge in Covid-19 cases in that country.
“The current health situation in Belgium and, more specifically, the enormous uncertainty that currently exists regarding the evolution of the Omicron virus, does not give enough guarantees to organise this world cup in a safe and feasible way,” the letter reads.
It was for these reasons the executive boards of the FIH and Hockey Belgium jointly took the decision to cancel the event.
“Especially for players, we are very disappointed that we can’t organise this world cup in the current situation,” they said.
Justifiable
Coach Handura believes that the reasons were justifiable despite the heartbreak it has cost.
He feels that the safety of the players and the quality of the game were prioritised.
“This is justifiable because if you look at Europe, teams are struggling to have full squads available.
“Now imagine a sport with limited depth in squads having to play during this time.
“We are all heartbroken by this but we can’t blame or question anyone at the moment.”
WINDHOEK
The national indoor hockey team was bitterly disappointed yesterday when it was announced that the world cup had been called off yet again.
They had been preparing for the competition since October 2019.
The tournament had been scheduled to take place in Belgium from 2 to 6 February 2022.
“This was heart-breaking news for everyone, especially the players that have put in a shift to prepare for this global show piece,” coach Erwin Handura said yesterday.
“One could tell that everyone was touched by the news and understandably so, players are even more affected.
“Imagine having trained since October 2019 and then you are told that you can’t go and play at the biggest tournament of your life. It is sad and the players felt it.”
In a communication sent out yesterday, the World Indoor Hockey Federation and Hockey Belgium said they had to call off the event because of the current surge in Covid-19 cases in that country.
“The current health situation in Belgium and, more specifically, the enormous uncertainty that currently exists regarding the evolution of the Omicron virus, does not give enough guarantees to organise this world cup in a safe and feasible way,” the letter reads.
It was for these reasons the executive boards of the FIH and Hockey Belgium jointly took the decision to cancel the event.
“Especially for players, we are very disappointed that we can’t organise this world cup in the current situation,” they said.
Justifiable
Coach Handura believes that the reasons were justifiable despite the heartbreak it has cost.
He feels that the safety of the players and the quality of the game were prioritised.
“This is justifiable because if you look at Europe, teams are struggling to have full squads available.
“Now imagine a sport with limited depth in squads having to play during this time.
“We are all heartbroken by this but we can’t blame or question anyone at the moment.”
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