New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction over Hockey India’s announcement to pull out of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) and said that the federation should discuss with the concerned department and ministry before taking such a decision.

“I believe that any federation should refrain from making statements and discuss with the department and ministry before taking any decision because the federation team is not going, it is the country’s team which is going. Hockey India should consult with the sports department and ministry, and the government will decide,” Thakur told reporters here on Sunday.

On October 5, Hockey India had announced its withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in England’s Birmingham next year, citing the 32-day window between the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in Hangzhou, and current Covid-19 situation in the UK.

The Sports Minister further said, “I have clarified that in such a big country of 130 crore population, there are not only 18 players who can represent India. There is no dearth of talent in a game like hockey.”

Thakur also asked if in cricket, IPL and World Cup are together, and players can play, why not in Commonwealth and Asian Games.

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