Sports directorate shuts govt-run gyms
LUCKNOW : Owing to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate too has ordered closure of 50-odd gymnasiums across all its stadiums, with immediate effect. Many other sports activities have also been suspended.
Twenty-five modern gymnasiums and 25 others at government-run stadiums and multipurpose halls across the state would remain closed from Monday till further orders. “This is being done for the wellbeing of sportspersons across the state,” UP director, sports, RP Singh said on Sunday. “Stadiums will remain open for exercise, running or any other physical activity which do not require one to come into contact with others. The order of closure applies only on gymnasiums,” said Singh, adding, “Swimming pools across the stadium will start functioning not before April 1.”
The sports directorate has already cancelled its state football tournaments in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Central coaching camps, which were aimed to shortlist probables for state government-run sports hostels, have also been put off.
The state government-run UP Sports College too has announced cancellation of twoday primary selection trials, scheduled to start from March 20, at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College here. “Besides, the main entrance exams, which are supposed to be held from April 13 to 18, too have been postponed till further orders,” Jitendra Yadav, acting secretary of the sports college management committee, said on Sunday. The Cricket Association Lucknow too on Sunday announced suspension of all its activities in view of the coronavirus pandemic. “CAL has suspended all cricket activities, including all leagues, permitted tournaments etc.,” CAL secretary KM Khan said.
EASY VICTORY
Kolkata Circle scored a convincing six-wicket win against Delhi Circle to win the Allahabad bank Cup Twenty20 Tournament here on Sunday.
BRIEF SCORES Delhi Circle 92 in 17 overs
(Deepak 24, Sandeep 20, Nitin Kumar 2/10, Dharmesh 2/13, Bikas C Paul 2/25, Somnath 2/28) lost to Kolkata Circle 71 in 17.5 overs (Avinsh 42*, Bikas 27, Amit Dahiya 2/12).