SAI appoint panel to look for ways to resume training for athletes

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has shaped a six-member committee to organize a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for phased resumption of coaching throughout sporting disciplines in any respect the centres as soon as the coronavirus-forced nationwide lockdown is lifted.

The six-member panel shall be headed by SAI secretary Rohit Bharadwaj and could have CEO Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Rajesh Rajagopalan, Executive Director (Operations) SS Roy, SS Sarla, Col BK Nayak and Assistant Director TOPS Sachin Ok as members.

All coaching had been suspended throughout SAI Centres in view of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The panel will draft a SOP, describing protocols and preventive measures to be noticed by all stakeholders, together with trainees, coaches, technical and non-technical assist workers, NSFs, directors, mess and hostel workers and guests, as soon as coaching resumes. The SOP will embrace intimately the rules to be adopted on entry norms, santisation pointers, precautions to be taken in widespread areas and by athletes whereas travelling to and from the centre.

The SAI, nonetheless, said {that a} separate committee has been shaped to organize a SOP for swimming, because the sport requires athletes to coach in water and should have completely different well being dangers concerned, as in comparison with different sport.

The suggestions of the committees are being made in session with respective National Sporting Federations and different stakeholders, and shall be despatched to the Sports Ministry for closing approval. All NSFs have been requested to share their suggestions of preventive measures that should be adopted in every sport in order to make sure security of athletes.

The committee for swimming shall be headed by Executive Director, TEAMS Division of SAI Radhica Sreeman, and can embrace Monal Choksi, secretary basic of the Swimming Federation of India, senior coaches and medical doctors.

“The SAI will draw up the guidelines in consultation with coaches and medical practitioners to ensure all preventive measures are put in place before swimmers resume training,” the assertion mentioned.