Standard Operating Procedure to be followed by athletes, coaches at training being drawn up: Rijiju

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said a team has been formed to draw up a post-lockdown Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed by athletes, coaches and other staff during outdoor training that will resume in a "planned manner".

He assured the athletes that their training will resume soon but given the risks the COVID-19 pandemic poses, the process will involve consultations with home and health ministries.

During a virtual meeting, Rijiju sought suggestions from elite track and field athletes housed in NIS Patiala and Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre, Bangalore to understand their requirement to resume training once the nationwide lockdown is lifted.

"We have already made the committee to set up the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be followed by athletes, coaches and other staff during training. Your suggestions will help us frame the rules better," Rijiju told the athletes according to a release issued by his ministry.

"I am happy that all of you are in a positive frame of mind and are keen to start training. Even we are keen that you get back on the field, but it has to be done in a planned manner so that none of you are exposed to any health hazard."
"If any athlete leaves the camp after the lockdown is lifted, we will not allow him or her to come back and train."
"However, I need to clock a minimum mileage every week and that is only possible if I get back to regular training. If I can train on the tracks or on the road inside the campus, it will be good enough for me."
Javelin thrower Shivpal Singh, who has also qualified for the Olympics, said, "I am ready to follow all rules and train at any time of the day or night that is assigned to me as per the schedule made by our coaches. I don't mind training even at night."