New Delhi: In a big relief for India, the Hockey Series Finals, the country’s only route to next year’s Olympics, will be held as scheduled in Bhubaneswar in June, despite the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ban on hosting global events.
The IOC has asked all the international federations to stop awarding global event to India, after the government denied visas to three members of the Pakistan team for the ISSF World Cup in February here which included two shooters in the wake of Pulwama terror attack which killed 40 CRPF jawans.
But a top Indian Olympic Association (IOA) official Tuesday said that the Hockey Series Finals, from June 6-16, will go ahead as scheduled.
“We (IOA and IOC) have reached an understanding on this issue and I can say it is almost confirmed that Hockey Series Finals will be held in June in Bhubaneswar,” the official told this agency on condition of anonymity.
The IOC had however said, its stand against the country will remain until ‘written guarantees are obtained from the Indian government to ensure the entry of all participants in such events in full compliance with the rules of the Olympic charter.’
The United World Wrestling has however shifted the Junior Wrestling Championship out of India which was to be held in July under the IOC’s diktat.
Asked about any communication with the government, the official said, “It is not possible to approach the government now. The country is in the election mode. We will approach the government only after the general elections.”