The sports ministry, on Monday, might have given the go-ahead to the resumption of training in its complexes and stadia after the Centre permitted them to reopen in lockdown 4.0, but the national sports federations and elite athletes will have to wait longer, it seems, for the training facilities to reopen.
"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 today. "However, use of gyms and swimming pools are still prohibited," he added.
The MHA, on Sunday evening, gave the green signal for sports activities to resume sans spectators, while extending the nationwide lockdown to May 31. The decision was welcomed by athletes and sports administrators.
However, a day after, the Sports Authority of India training centres in various parts of the country remained closed as they were yet to receive clear orders from the headquarters and Standard Operating Procedures for athletes, coaches and administrative staff.
As per latest reports, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, sprinter Hima Das, other track and field athletes, including marathoners and walkers, wrestlers, weightlifters, and the senior national men's and women's hockey teams remained restricted to their respective rooms at the SAI hostels in Patiala, Bengaluru and Ooty.
The sports ministry had announced the formulation of a six-member committee to draft the SOPs for every training centre, individual athlete and team, once training resumes. The SOPs are yet to be made public, though a document of proposed draft SOPs was leaked a few days ago.
A statement issued by Hockey India said, "Hockey India is currently awaiting further suitable guidelines and approvals from MYAS and SAI on restarting the national camps for senior men's and women's core probables that are currently based at SAI Centre, Bengaluru."
Interestingly, HI had created its own set of SOPs with SAI last month and submitted a "pitch training request for both teams” today.
"We are now awaiting approval and confirmation from SAI on the same," HI said in the statement.
Meanwhile, Table Tennis Federation of India asked its players to join the training camp. TTFI, reportedly, sought written consent from its top paddlers to join the camp post the new MHA guidelines, but the paddlers refused to send anything in writing and preferred to wait and watch.
