Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament postponed due to coronavirus

In view of the worldwide threat of the Novel Coronavirus infection, it has been decided to postpone the 29th season of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament. According to the organizers, the Azlan Shah Cup was to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 11 to 18, but now the tournament will be from September 24 to October 3.

Organising Committee chairman DatoHaji Abd Rahim Bin Md said in a statement, “..it is in the best interest of the players, officials and all parties involved that the 29th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Men’s Hockey Tournament 2020 to be postponed.”

The organizing committee has apologized for the inconvenience caused by it but said that it has been decided in view of the current crisis around the world. According to the statement,

“FIH (International Hockey Federation), AHF (Asian Hockey Federation), MHC (Malaysia Hockey Federation) and the teams participating in the tournament have been informed about this decision.”

This tournament takes place in Malaysia every year and this time the participating nations in this edition of the championship were Australia, Canada, Japan, hosts Malaysia, Pakistan, and South Korea. Australia has won the title 10 times, followed by India and Pakistan. The last time South Korea won the title. South Korea had defeated India 4–2 in the penalty shootout in the final. The Indian team, who had decided to give the tournament a miss this year, has won this title 5 times (1985, 1991, 1995, 2009 and 2010)

So far, many sports competitions have been canceled, postponed or transferred due to the Coronavirus. The virus has killed more than 3000 people worldwide and infected more than 86000 people.

The first bike race of the MotoGP season in Qatar was canceled due to the Coronavirus. The race was to be held in the capital Doha from 8 March. The second round of MotoGP is to be held in Thailand on 22 March.

The International Motorcycling Federation (IMF) said

“Due to travel restrictions between several countries including Italy, Qatar there will be no race on Local Circuit. However, the Moto-2 and Moto-3 World Championship will be held according to schedule. The teams and their riders have arrived for the competition.”