National Games 2022 – Top Players SKIPPING National Games: The much hyped National Games start in Gujarat on 27th September. But despite the diktat of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), most of the top players will skip the much hyped event. Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth and various others are set to pull out of the event. Chopra is the first athlete who has decided to pull out officially on Friday: Follow National Games 2022 LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
“As per my schedule planned at the start of the year, Zurich Diamond League was supposed to be my last event of the season. I would have participated at the Asian Games around this time but that was postponed.
We already knew about it, so my season ended with the Zurich event. The dates for the National Games were announced recently. I have consulted with my coach (Dr Klaus Bartonietz) and he advised me to rest and prepare for the crucial season next year,which includes the World Championships and Asian Games”, Neeraj was quoted by TOI.
Chopra isn’t the only top athlete who is considering skipping the National Games. Shuttlers PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, and Kidambi Srikanth, too, are unlikely to compete in the Games.
Sindhu and Srikanth are preparing for the Denmark Open, starting October 18, and French Open, October 25 onwards.
Ranking points in these two events are crucial, especially for Sindhu who has set the year-ending World Tour Finals. The BWF’s season ender has a hefty tournament prize cheque of USD 15,00,000.
What was IOA’s DIKTAT? On September 6, the IOA in a letter asked the National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations to ensure ‘all eligible eminent athletes’ take part in the Games.
Eminent athletes were described as the ones who have taken part or won medals in international competitions.
When is the National Games? National Games 2022 Schedule & Dates
36th National Games also known as National Games Gujarat 2022, will be hosted by Gujarat. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), announced that the games will be held on 27 September to 10th October 2022 in six cities of Gujarat.
This is the first time the state is hosting a national sporting event. The National Games will have more than 34 sporting events in six different venues. The previous National Games was the 35th edition which was held in Kerala and there were 33 sports included in the event.
Follow National Games 2022 LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
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