Elite players can start practice after the lockdown is lifted: Rijiju

New Delhi,11 May(HS): Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday that elite players can resume practice after the lockdown is lifted.

He said that all players and stakeholders should not hurry in things as the health of all is a top priority.

Rijiju tweeted, “The restrictions will be relaxed once the lockdown is lifted. After that our elite athletes will be able to resume the practice session in a phased manner. I appeal to the players and all the stakeholders not to be in a hurry as health and safety is our top priority at the moment. “

 Rijiju also talked to the players stuck in various centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) due to the lockdown.

SAI has formed a six-member committee to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to phase out sports-related training in all the centres following the removal of lockdown implemented nationwide due to coronavirus.

The six-member committee will be headed by SA Secretary Rohit Bhardwaj while Rajesh Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer of Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Executive Director (Operations) SS. Roy, S.S. Sarla, Colonel BK Nayak and TOPS Assistant Director Sachin K are its other member.

The committee will draft an SOP, which will have a way to prevent this epidemic after the training begins. Apart from trainees, coaches, technical and non-technical support staff, NSF (National Sports Federations), administrators, mess and hostel staff will have to work as per this draft.

 Visitors to the complex and stakeholders associated with the games must also follow this draft.

The recommendations of the committee will be prepared after consulting the concerned NFS and other stakeholders which will be sent to the Ministry of Sports for final approval. All NSFs have been asked to share their recommendations of measures to avoid the epidemic. A separate committee has been formed for swimming in this.