Coronavirus Outbreak: Sports Ministry gives its nod for resumption of training in stadiums and complexes
The Sports Ministry on Monday gave its go ahead to the resumption of training in all sports complexes and stadia with immediate effect after the government eased restrictions for the fourth phase of the coronavirus-forced lockdown.
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry on Monday gave its go ahead to the resumption of training in all sports complexes and stadia with immediate effect after the government eased restrictions for the fourth phase of the coronavirus-forced lockdown.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said activities can now be conducted in all sports complexes and stadia, including those managed by private players, but only in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.
"I'm happy to inform sportspersons and all concerned that sports activities will be conducted in sports complexes and stadia strictly in accordance with MHA guidelines and that of the States in which they are situated," Rijiju tweeted.
Related Articles
"However, use of gyms and swimming pools are still prohibited," he added.
I'm happy to inform sportspersons and all concerned that sports activities will be conducted in sports complexes and stadia strictly in accordance with MHA guidelines and that of the States in which they are situated. However, use of gyms & swimming pools are still prohibited. pic.twitter.com/zDHECy09iF
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 18, 2020
According to ministry sources, sporting activities can resume in facilities and academies across the country, including those managed by private entities like TransStadia and JSW Group.
"Sporting activities can now start across the country, including in private facilities and those managed by states but in complete adherence to MHA guidelines," the source told PTI.
"There is no time frame on when to start. It entirely depends on individual players and National Sports Federations (NSFs). For example, our hockey teams are based in SAI Bengaluru since the start of lockdown, so if Hockey India wants to start onfield training from tomorrow, they can do so," he said.
The source, however, said that sportspersons joining the national camps or SAI centres afresh will have to go through medical checkups and a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
"Not just SAI facilities, all private facilities and academies will have to ensure medical check ups of those wanting to resume training."
India has recorded over 90,000 COVID-19 cases so far with over 3,000 deaths.
In the guidelines for the fourth lockdown, sport continued to be listed alongside the functions, gatherings and large congregations which were not allowed.
The only big-ticket event that was to happen in India at this time was the Indian Premier League, which was postponed indefinitely in April due to the health crisis.
The lockdown originally came into effect in mid-March and the Tokyo Olympics-bound elite athletes, who are based at SAI complexes in Patiala and Bengaluru, have been demanding resumption of training for the past couple of weeks.
The Olympics has been postponed to 2021 owing to the deadly pandemic.
also read
Explained: How your sports bra and gymwear could make you sick
A recent test has found sports bras, leggings and other gymwear of popular clothing brands contain the toxic chemical BPA in very high levels. BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, can lead to asthma, heart disease, obesity and erectile dysfunction
End of Work from Home? Are TCS employees being forced to come to office?
TCS has begun delivering notes to staff members who don't put in at least 12 days of in-office work each month. The IT company reportedly threatened employees with disciplinary action if they failed to abide by its new policy. The firm is just one of the many that has put an end to work from home
Explained: How the World Health Organisation aims to fight pandemics in the future
Negotiations on new rules for dealing with pandemics are underway at the World Health Organisation. A new pact is a priority for WHO chief who called it a ‘generational commitment that we will not go back to the old cycle of panic and neglect’ at the UN agency's annual assembly