Coronavirus impact: India pulls out of shooting world cup in Cyprus

India on
Friday pulled out of next month’s shooting World Cup in Cyprus, citing the
novel coronavirus threat there as the epidemic continued to wreak havoc on
sporting calendars across the world.

The shotgun
world cup, recognised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), is
scheduled to be held in Nicosia from March 4 to 13. The NRAI also pointed out
that the tournament in Cyprus and the next ISSF World Cup, scheduled to be held
in New Delhi from March 16, are too close to each other.

Earlier this
month, the Indian government refused to grant visas to Chinese grapplers for
the Asian Wrestling Championship held here due to the disease which originated
from the capital of central China’s Hubei province.

In the
tournament scheduled in Cyprus, the Indian shooting team included proven
performers such as Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Shreyasi Singh, Lakshay Sheoran,
Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Mairaj Ahmad Khan.

The shooters
were scheduled to leave in two batches on March 2 and 4.

The deadly
virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has so far killed close to 3000 people
and infected nearly 80,000 globally.

Cyprus does
not have any confirmed cases of coronavirus yet but suspected patients are being
quarantined as a precautionary measure. Major sporting events across the world
are being either postponed or cancelled due to the ongoing threat of the
coronavirus.