Blame It On COVID-19: IOA Misses Deadline To Bid For 2030 Asian Games

New Delhi: India had decided to bid for the 2030 Asian Games, but missed the April 22 deadline for filing the bid application. And according to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra, the novel coronavirus pandemic is to blame for the slip-up.

Batra said the IOA had to change its ‘priorities’ following the outbreak of COVID-19 and ensure the well-being of the athletes first.

The Olympic body thus could not complete the formalities and secure government guarantees in time.

With India not in the race, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the only two countries to have submitted bids for the 2030 Asian Games.

The IOA will consider hosting the 2034 Asian Games.

“I wish the two countries the best. We could not complete the formalities after the virus outbreak. We will now aim to bid for the 2034 edition,” Batra said.