Union Sports and Youth affairs minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday said a decision on Indian player's participation at this year's Asian Games will be taken after receiving information from host country China, as the COVID cases rapidly increased in Shanghai.
Shanghai, China's biggest city, has witnessed the country's worst Covid outbreak in two years, with weeks-long restrictions keeping most of its 25 million residents caged in their homes.
The 2022 Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou less than 200 kilometres from Shanghai, is scheduled to hold the Games from September 10-25, becoming the third host after Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.
"This topic is being discussed all over the world and a decision will be taken on this situation in India as well. We are keeping an eye on this situation and in talks with the organizer too we will look after our players too and looking the situation over there also we are looking at what organizers will say in this matter as this is a serious issue and let's see what happen in upcoming days," Anurag Thakur told ANI.
Talking about the Khelo India Master Games, Thakur said, "More than 3000 players from 23 states and union territories are participating in the Khelo India Master Games in Delhi today. This Is a Great effort to promote sports. Players above 30 years of age and up to 95 years are playing here. A lot of Ex-Olympians are participating here. I am sure from next year there will be many events not only in the country but also in our states. Schemes like Khelo India Scheme and Target Olympic Podium Scheme have done a lot of work to move the game forward."
Union Sports and Youth affairs minister also praised sports schemes for promoting awarness. "Fit India Movement, Fit India Mobile App, Fit India Quiz and Khelo India These events are organized to promote sports and to increase awareness. And I am glad that the Masters came forward and showed their participation in this," said Thakur.
( With inputs from ANI )
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