Coronavirus pandemic: Sports minister and IOA delegation's visit to Tokyo for Olympic preparation cancelled

New Delhi: The visit of a high-powered delegation comprising sports minister Kiren Rijiju and top IOA officials to Tokyo later this month to look into India's logistical preparedness for the Olympics has been put on hold in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

File image of sports minister Kiren Rijiju. PIB

The visit was scheduled for 25 to 29 March but will now happen at a later date which is yet to be decided.

Besides Rijiju, the other members of the delegation included Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra, secretary-general Rajeev Mehta, Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh, sports secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya and Sports Authority of India director general Sandip Pradhan.

"The proposed visit of High Level Indian Delegation to Tokyo consisting of Govt Officials and Indian Olympic Association to review India's #Tokyo2020 preparation on 25th March is temporarily postponed," Rijiju tweeted.

Mehta told PTI, "In view of the rising threat of this COVID-19 pandemic, the visit has been put on hold. As of now, we have not decided when the delegation will visit Tokyo. It will happen at a later date depending on the situation."

India will have its first-ever Olympic Hospitality House in Tokyo during the Summer Games, scheduled to be held from 24 July 24 to 9 August. It will be built by JSW on a piece of land of 2,200 square metre area and in close proximity to the Games Village and multiple venues in the Ariake region of the Japanese capital.
It will offer a range of activities and experiences for travelling fans and supporters who will be in Tokyo for the Olympics.

Running through the duration of the Games, the India House will host watch parties, medal celebrations and meet-and-greet opportunities with the Indian athletes. The visitors will also get a taste of variety of Indian cuisine.

There will be a dedicated Athlete Lounge for Indian Olympians and access to medical facilities and food will be available on site. A media centre to host travelling Indian media personnel has also been planned in the area. Several Indian and international brands will also have their stalls to display and sell their products.

More than 70 Indian athletes have so far qualified for the Tokyo Olympics and the IOA is expecting the number to touch at least 125 before the Games.

The coronavirus outbreak has led to speculation over the fate of the Olympics this year. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, has insisted that the Games will be held as scheduled in July-August.