Sports Authority Of India (Courtesy: Twitter)
Sports Authority Of India (Courtesy: Twitter)

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had formed a six-member panel to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for resumption of training in phases across disciplines. As per the regulations in lockdown 4.0 formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stadiums and sports complexes will be allowed to be opened devoid of spectators. The SAI have divided its disciplines into four categories – non-contact, medium contact, full contact and water sports — with each category having its own set of rules to be followed.

For all the coaches, staffs and athletes falling under SAI, government’s Aarogya Setu app, which tracks the number of Covid-19 cases across the country, has been made a mandate.

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What does the Standard Operating Procedure includes? 

The SOP was formed by a six-member panel led by SAI secretary Rohit Bharadwaj. It included CEO Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Rajesh Rajagopalan, Executive Director (Operations) SS Roy, SS Sarla, Col BK Nayak and Assistant Director TOPS Sachin K as members.

In a detailed guidelines, there is a mention of different rules to be followed in training areas, gymnasiums, medical centres, and residential facilities.

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To specially monitor the training sessions and for safety a special Covid Task Force will also be assigned at every SAI venue. The Task Force will be guiding athletes and coaches during training.

According to media reports, the ex-officio Chairman of the Task Force will the Centre-in-charge and that person will be responsible for the implementation of protocols outlined in the SOP. It has also been said that sparring during training in contact sports like boxing and wrestling will still not included in the SAI SOP.

The resumption of training across centres will depend upon the advice given by the local administrator.