Sports Authority of India to resume sporting activities of Tokyo Olympics bound para-athletes and athletes in NCOEs

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has decided to resume the sporting activities of Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes and para-athletes in its National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) across the country, in a phased manner.

This move will step up the next phase of ‘Khelo India Phir Se’. Under this phase, the resumption of sporting activities for Tokyo Olympics bound athletes and para-athletes (with a focus on 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth and Asian Games) has been planned in stages.

Earlier in June 2020, in the first phase, SAI had started the training for only the Olympic bound athletes at its various centers, since SAI infrastructure is captive and can ensure the protection of our national athletes against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resumption of Tokyo Olympics bound sporting activities: Key Highlights

•  In this phase, the resumption of the sporting activities for Olympic bound para-athletes and athletes in NCOE’s has been planned in stages for nine disciplines, including, para-powerlifting, para-athletes, para-archery, para-shooting, hockey, cycling, archery, weightlifting, wrestling, athletics, judo, fencing, and boxing.

•  The same has also been organised only at the SAI regional centres along with residential- facilities so as the athletes are not exposed to any dangers of Coronavirus transmission.

•  As per the SAI authorities, the decision has been taken after the detailed considering and deliberation that athletes cannot be put to risk of COVID-19 less than a year before Tokyo 2021.

•  The first phase of the resumption of the sport is most likely to begin from October 5, 2020.

Precautions to be taken to protect athletes from COVID-19 transmission:

• For the complete safety of athletes, following the quarantine protocols, state COVID SOP and SAI SOP, it has been decided that the athletes, even those who are in the same discipline, will be inducted in sporting activities in a phased manner.

• Sports Authority of India (SAI) has also directed the Regional centers to maintain the bio-bubble to ward off any possible chance of virus transmission among the trainees at NCOEs.

• The coaches, support staff involved in the training of athletes will also be used in NCOEs in order to maintain the integrity of the bio-bubble for the safety of athletes.

• Sai has also decided to support the athletes from sports, where SAI does not have its own captive residential infrastructure, if the facility administration, athletes, and coaches assume the responsibilities of taking precautions against COVID-19.