India will not participate in next month’s Shotgun World Cup in Cyprus due to the threat of the deadly coronovirus, the National Rifle Association of India said in a statement.
“In view of situation regarding rising cases of Coronavirus outbreak being reported globally, NRAI has decided to withdraw Indian team from ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Cyprus beginning March 4,” NRAI was quoted as saying by ANI.
The Shotgun world cup, recognised by the International Shooting Sport Federation, is scheduled to be held from March 4 to 13.
The Indian team withdrew from the tournament on the advice of the government, a National Rifle Association of India official told PTI. “The coronavirus threat is the only reason we are pulling out and it has been done on the advice of central agencies,” he said.
The deadly virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has so far killed close to 3000 people and infected nearly 80,000 globally.
India is also scheduled to host a combined World Cup from March 16 to 26 at the Dr Karni Singh Range in Delhi. Cyprus does not have any confirmed cases of coronavirus yet but suspected cases are being quarantined as precautionary measure.