Elimination of low-ventilation change rooms, disinfection of training equipment after every use, a bar on sparring for now, and usage of gyms in shifts -- these are some of the measures to tackle the COVID-19 threat that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is proposing if training of athletes resumes later this month.
The SAI has formulated a detailed draft of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed before reopening of its training centres by the end of this month, but it is subject to clearance from the Health and Home ministry. A six-member committee, headed by Secretary Rohit Bharadwaj, has formulated a 33-page SOP document.
The document proposes making the Arogya Setu app mandatory for all athletes and staff, strict social distancing at training venues, use of PPE kits by medical practitioners on duty, increased sanitation measures and stringent supervision of athletes' health among a slew of measures to counter the threat posed by Covid-19.
"The committee has outlined a broad SOP but itis not final. It is the first draft, which is yet to be vetted by the Sports Ministry as well as the Health Ministry. We can't expect the SOP to be passed in totality," a SAI source told PTI. SAI has sent across the draft to the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to seek their view on the recommendations.
"In the end, the resumption of training will depend on MHA's guidelines. If the MHA bars sporting activities in its upcoming guidelines to be issued post lockdown 3, like it did in the previous guidelines, the Sports Ministry can't resume training," the source added. The country will enter the fourth phase of the lockdown from May 18, but significant relaxations are expected. "The SAI acted in a proactive manner and laid down the SOP in case the MHA gives a go ahead for training," the source said.
Besides SAI centres, the SOP, if approved, will also be applicable on private facilities like the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence and Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy among others.
The SOP states that it would be the responsibility of NSFs to ensure complete adherence to training protocols.
The document proposes maximum restrictions for contact sports, which will not have any sparring in their training programme for now. "Additional staff shall be appointed for proper disinfection of the equipment prior to continuous usage," it states. "Equipment which is bound to be shared and utilised continuously during a training such as punching/kicking bags, slam balls, skipping ropes etc. must be used carefully without using such equipment to rub/touch face, remove sweat, cover mouth," it adds.