Asian Champions Trophy: Indian Women's Hockey Player Tests COVID-19 Positive

The women's hockey match between India and Korea at the Asian Champions Trophy on Wednesday has been called off, after a player from the Indian team tested positive for COVID-19, reports confirmed. The Asian Hockey Federation, the governing sports body presiding over the games, in a statement said "a positive Covid test result has been received from yesterday's routine testing for a member of Team India."

Hockey India also previously confirmed one player from the women's team is positive for the virus, according to PTI. 

"Yes, a player has tested positive so today's game against Korea has been cancelled. The AHF will come out with further statement on the matter," a source told the news agency.

The Indian team will in all likelihood undergo a quarantine period following the COVID-19 update. Authorities are yet to offer clarity on India's position in the remainder of the tournament, in which the team is scheduled to face China tomorrow.

India's Position Undetermined In ACT? Here's What We Know

The India vs Korea match cancellation comes on the heels of the blue team's second match with Malaysia on Monday being called off after a player of the latter team tested positive for COVID-19.

The ACT taking place in South Korea is taking place after postponements from last year when the pandemic prevented it from happening per schedule. India is the highest-ranking team participating in the 2021 tournament, holding ninth place in the International Hockey Federation's listing for women's teams.

India's women's hockey team is riding on the high of its historic performance at the Summer Olympics this year in Tokyo that saw them make it to the semifinals for the first time ever.

In a conversation with SheThePeople after the team returned to India, captain Rani Rampal said that while they were emotional, having been so close to victory, the feat and country's encouraging reaction to their game would inspire them "to do better in the tournaments ahead of them." Read all Olympic updates and interviews here.

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