On Thursday, like Sports Authority of India (SAI) announced the Standard Operating Procedure for training, Sparring was declared prohibited for all contact sports but did not state when exactly it will restart amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
SAI has also made the Aarogya Setu app compulsory for all athletes and staff and instructed for maintaining social distancing at training venues. Stating the measures to battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the latest protocols mentioned that all training equipment after each use will be disinfected, a bar on sparring and the usage of the gyms in shifts.
A six-member committee, headed by Bharadwaj, formulated the protocol.
In an online press conference, SAI secretary Rohit Bhardwaj said, “Resumption of training will depend on local administration’s approval.”
In its guidelines for the fourth phase of the lockdown, which has been extended till May 31, the home ministry permitted the opening of sports complexes and stadia. However, SAI steer clear of queries on when exactly training can restart.
To avert the deadly virus, increased sanitation and rigorous supervision of athletes’ health are among a slew of measures.
