Sporting activities with ‘restrictions’ to start from June 15 in Uttar Pradesh
LUCKNOW:Sports activities, especially in all state government-run stadiums and sports complexes, are likely to start from June 15, nearly three months after the lockdown came into effect on March 25. The Uttar Pradesh sports directorate is considering a special plan for the restart and has formed a three-member committee to submit recommendations for it by Saturday. Primary discussions on the plan with the Sports Authority of India authorities will be done on Wednesday.
“There is no alternative but to live with the present conditions and now it’s time to start sports activities at all the governmentrun stadiums and sports complexes across the state but with new set of rules and regulations,” UP’s director sports RP Singh said on Tuesday.
“The three-member committee has been asked to submit its report by Saturday so that we can think about starting activities from next Monday, if everything goes well,” said Singh. “Before that I will be discussing the issue with Sports Authority of India bosses tomorrow.”
If the activities are started it would also help the 450-odd ad hoc coaches across the state get their contracts renewed, this time without trials as they were already contracted for two consecutive seasons last year. The coaches can also begin their activities but by strictly following the safety norms.
“The system of thermo screening, hand sanitization, entry to registered players etc, has already been in place, with yoga practice and walking being allowed at stadiums and sports complexes,” Singh said.
He, however, cautioned that it won’t be a free-for-all at the sporting centres, adding that activities will be started in a phased manner. “Athletics, shooting, archery, and to some extent tennis would be allowed in the first phase, while restrictions would continue on use of gym and swimming.
“We need to allow the activities of only those sports where one requires no contact. In tennis, once can maintain social distancing even while playing doubles, but at the same time it is almost reverse in case of badminton,” Singh said.
PRACTICE ON
Meanwhile, sports activity in 50-60 academies in the state capital has resumed with the onset of Unlock 1.0 on Tuesday.
Though the SDS Tennis Academy has barred entry of kids below 10 years, some parents insist otherwise. On Tuesday, a few kids below 10 were seen on the courts. “We have barred the entry of kids below 10 years of age at the academy.
We are following all the norms of social distancing at the academy here as were are concerned about the health of the trainees,” SDS Tennis academy’s administrator Abhishek Singh said on Tuesday. He added that out of the 150 registered players, only 30-40 trainees checked in daily for training so far. “People are still scared about the spread of the virus, but we are hopeful to see our full strength as soon as things become normal.”
Besides the SDS Tennis Academy, all other 15 tennis academies in the state capital too have started its activities, including coaching. But the district administration has expressed serious concern over the coaching and training at these private academies.
Commission Lucknow Division, Mukesh Meshram, on Tuesday confirmed that besides yoga and walking, individual practice is allowed at the stadiums and sporting venues, but coaching at private academies is still prohibited.
“Performing coaching and training is illegal at the private academies and if anyone does this he will be face action,” Meshram said. “Kids below 10 years of age and individual above 65 years of age are barred from entering the stadiums or sports complexes and if someone breaks this rule, they too will face action,” he added.