Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju sought suggestions from elite athletes of athletics housed in Sports Authority of Indias National Centre of Excellence in Patiala and Bangalore to understand their requirement to resume training once the nation-wide lockdown is lifted.
The Sports Minister spoke to more than 40 athletes from various disciplines, among them were Hima Das, Neeraj Chopra, Tajinder Toor, Kt Irfan, Shivpal Singh, Poovamma, Jinson Johnson and Md. Anas.
Every athlete shared their concern about losing out on real time training owing to the global corona pandemic and requested for on-ground training to be started within the SAI campuses in Bangalore and Patiala.
The meeting was attended by Ravi Mital, Secretary Sports, Sandip Pradhan, Director General, Sports Authority of India, Adille Sumariwalla, President, Athletics Federation of India, Volker Hermann, High Performance Director, Athletics Federation of India and several senior coaches and SAI officials.
Speaking at the interaction Adille Sumariwalla said, "Athletes want to resume training but we have made it clear to them that they will have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of social distancing and health protocols which will be decided in the Standard Operating Procedures being prepared by SAI and Ministry.
"Also, they have been told that even when the lockdown is lifted they cannot venture out of the camps since they have been living in a protected environment since March and are more prone to getting infected. If any athlete leaves the camp after the lockdown is lifted, we will not allow him or her to come back and train."
Addressing the athletes, Sports Minister assured them that the decision to begin training will be taken soon. "We have already made the committee to set up the Standard Operating Procedures to be followed by athletes, coaches and other staff during training. Your suggestions will help us frame the rules better. I am hopeful that we will be able to come up with a concrete decision soon.
"However, this is a national emergency and no ministry can work in isolation. We will have to consult the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the health ministry and take their directions. 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."
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)