Players who are set to miss 36th National Games

Big names like Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu are set to miss the event.

After a very successful 35th edition that was held in the southern state of Kerala, The 36th National Games, also known as National Games Gujarat 2022, will be hosted by Gujarat. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has confirmed that the National Games are slated to be held in the state of Gujarat across six cities from 27th September to 10th October.

This is the very first time that Gujarat will be playing the host to a national sporting event. This time around there will 34 sports played across six different venues whereas last time 33 sports were played.

Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra, who has been the poster boy of Indian athletics since the last year or so will be the one of the biggest names to miss this tournament. Chopra was unable to take part in the Commonwealth Games 2022 due to a groin injury. However he made a strong comeback post the injury and won the Lausanne Diamond League and also the Diamond League Trophy. The 24 year old even rewrote his national record twice this season.

Neeraj Chopra competed in six competitions this year. He became the first ever Indian to win a silver at the World Championships in July earlier this year. Chopra will be skipping the event so as to preserve his body and keep it injury free ahead of a busy season on the advice of his coach Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, a biomechanical expert.

PV Sindhu

One of the biggest names missing from the National Games 2022 will be the current gold medalist in the women's singles category, PV Sindhu. Sindhu became a national hero after she won the final at the Commonwealth Games 2022 despite an ankle injury. The ace shuttler braved the pain to help India secure a gold medal. However post the Commonwealth Games, Sindhu hasn't taken part in any of the BWF events such as the World Championships 2022 or even the Japan Open 2022.

It seems that Sindhu will be using the time to prepare for the Denmark Open, starting October 18, and the French Open, October 25 onwards. Both the tournaments play a key role in determining the player's rankings.

Kidambi Srikanth

Kidambi Srikanth will also be pulling out of the games to manage his schedule ahead of a busy season. Srikanth, who won the bronze medal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games 2022 is also a former No.1. He will be looking for a much-needed break after a disappointing run in the BWF World Championships and the recently concluded Japan Open. Srikanth was knocked out in the group stages of both tournaments.

Srikanth, just like Sindhu will be looking forward to intensifying his training for the upcoming Denmark Open and French Open.

Saina Nehwal

Last on the list is one of India's most experienced badminton players, Saina Nehwal. Saina, who was one of the biggest misses from India's badminton contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2022, Birmingham, made a comeback in the BWF World Championships followed by the Japan Open. Both of the campaigns turned out to be disappointing for the 32-year-old. She was eliminated in the early part of both the tournaments. Saina's reason for withdrawal from the National Games 2022 is still not known.