No trials, events, advises ministry

New Delhi, March 19: The sports ministry on Thursday advised all National Federations to refrain from conducting tournaments and selection trials till April 15 besides asking them to ensure that Olympic-bound athletes are isolated from anyone who is not a part of their training camp.

The directive has been necessitated by the Covid19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc on sporting events across the globe. The fresh advisory puts a question-mark on the upcoming Indian Grand Prix of athletics that is to be held on Friday.

“All sport organisations and their affiliate units are advised against holding any sports events, including competitions or selection trials till 15th April,

2020,” the ministry said in a letter to the Indian Olympic Association and NSFs.

It also asked federations to not allow any noncamper athlete, coach or support staff in Olympic

trainin1g camps without following proper quarantine protocols for the

COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry’s two-point directive states: “No exposure to athlete be allowed from outside in the campus where training is underway. No coach, technical/support staff athlete etc presently not in training camp and not

● All sport organisations and their affiliated units were advised against holding any sports events, including competitions or selection trials till April 15, the sports ministry advised the Indian Olympic Association and NSFs via a letter.

staying in the training campus be allowed to interact or mingle with trainee athletes without following quarantine protocols.”

IOA STAFF TO WORK

FROM HOME

The staffers at the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will be asked to ‘work from home’ from the next week with the sports body set to suspend majority of its operations from its headquarters in the wake of coronovirus outbreak.

“The IOA will start work from home facility for its staff from Monday. We are currently ensuring that all back-up systems are in place for a smooth functioning from home. The coronavirus is becoming serious day by day and we can’t risk our employees. Like any other professional organisation, we will go by the government’s advisory on this matter. —