Report: Softball, waterpolo among four teams withdrawn from Asian Games by Sports Ministry

A total of 15 teams across various sports have been cleared by the government for the Continental event.

After much debate, the Govt. of India cleared the participation Indian national men's and women's football team for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. Overall, 15 teams across various sports will be heading to Hangzhou while four teams unfortunately miss out - women's softball, men's water polo, men's handball, and men's 5*5 basketball.

In a letter to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said that it was withdrawing the above mentioned four teams. “In view of the Team Draw Ceremony scheduled to be held on 27th July 2023 NOC India would like to inform the HAGOC that the entries for the following Team Sports should stand withdrawn," the letter said as quoted by PTI.

The teams that got the nod for the Asiads are - men’s and women’s cricket, men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s kabaddi, women’s handball, women’s rugby, women’s 5x5 basketball, men’s and women’s basketball 3x3, men’s and women’s volleyball side, and the men’s and women’s football teams.

Director (Sports) in the ministry, SPS Tomar said the teams which have got clearance would be send “at cost to the Government in the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022. The entries made for other teams should be withdrawn. The approval for participation of the rest of the contingent will be conveyed in due course of time. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority,” Tomar added.

Initially the men's waterpolo squad was announced for the Asian Games and they are ranked 9th in Asia just one spot below top 8 in Asia. “It is very unfortunate and disappointing that the water polo side has missed out despite being ranked ninth,” Swimming Federation of India secretary Monal Chokshi told PTI.

Along with Men's water polo, the softball team too was announced a few days back, but they too have been neglected from the Games. Men's handball team have been performing well in the international stages for the past year and also reached the semi-finals of IHF Emerging league a few months back. With the emergence of PHL, the players would have received good experience and playing in the Asiad would have helped them gain exposure and experience.

The official draw of team sports is set to take place today (27th July) and the Asian Games is scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China.