Will Indian hockey teams take part in Commonwealth Games 2022? IOA chief comments

The 2022 Commonwealth Games would take place in Birmingham. However, India might not send its hockey teams to take part in it. Here's what the IOA chief has to say on it.

The Indian hockey teams came up with phenomenal performance during the Tokyo Olympics, with the men's team winning the bronze medal after 41 years, while the women's team finished fourth. As it looks to continue with the newly-found momentum, it seems like the teams would not be taking part in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.

According to Indian Olympic Association chief Narinder Batra, India would prioritise the Hangzhou Asian Games that starts just 35 days after the CWG, as the former would act as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also said that the same had been conveyed to the Sports Authority of India in a formal meeting.

Batra, the International Hockey Federation chief and a former Hockey India president, wants the sides to peak during the AG, as a gold medal would earn them a direct entry to the Paris Olympics. The CWG would be held between July 28 to August 8, while the AG runs between September 10-15.

India took part in the 2018 Gold Coast CWG, where it finished third, claiming 66 medals that included 26 golds, 20 silvers and 20 bronze. However, the archery and shooting sports have been dropped in Birmingham, where India has been upward of late.

With India supposedly not taking part in hockey, the contingent would be smaller compared to 2018's 216. Batra said that the 2022 CWG would likely have 62 fewer athletes than 2018, which would also mean lesser numbers in the medal tally.

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