THE international hockey federation announced on Thursday that the Indoor World Cup has been postponed by a year to February 2022.
The event was originally supposed to take place from 3 to 7 February 2021 in Liege, Belgium, but will now take place at the same venue from 2 to 6 February 2022, after the FIH and the Belgium Hockey Association jointly decided to postpone the tournament.
The CEO of the FIH, Thierry Weil said they had no choice, but to postpone the event.
“The FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup is a great hockey spectacle which generates a fantastic atmosphere. With the current major uncertainties which we are facing – such as the ability of all teams to travel, the completion of all continental qualifiers or the access of fans to the venue – and in order to protect the health of everyone involved, a postponement was the only option to go for. Our thanks go to the Belgian Hockey Association and the Province of Liège for their great commitment to put together an amazing show in 2022,” he said.
Hockey Belgium CEO Serge Pilet added: “In coordination with the province of Liège, we are convinced that this is the wisest decision in regards to the actual health situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Let’s hope this postponement will enable us to organise a superb event in Liège’s magnificent country hall, in ideal conditions. But first, let’s try to put the pandemic behind us.”
The secretary of the Namibia Hockey Union, Jens Unterlerchner, meanwhile said that the Indoor Africa Cup, which serves as a qualifier for the world cup, will now be rescheduled for sometime in 2021.
“The new date for the Indoor Africa Cup will be advised soon after an upcoming Africa Hockey Federation executive board meeting. However, the deadline for the IAC should be before 1 August 2021 in order to allow the participating teams from Africa and Pan America enough time for their world cup preparations.”
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