New Delhi: The Sports Authority of India has come up with a Standard Operating Procedure for resumption of training, following relaxation in lockdown guidelines.
According to the SOP, athletes resuming training at SAI centres across the country will have to sign consent forms, acknowledging risks associated with restarting practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The athletes and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) need to fill up the consent forms, which SAI gave out, as part of the SOP.
The signing of consent form will be monitored by its COVID-19 Task Force constituted at each training centre to guide and monitor all trainees and staff, the SAI said.
Prior to beginning of National Coaching Camp, NSFs will submit a written undertaking to abide by all the protocols prescribed in this SOP and various Government orders issued from time to time in the context of COVID-19 prevention.
The SOP also demanded an undertaking from NSFs. The consent form for the athletes also requires the signature of the chief coach.
As per the SOP, resumption of sporting activities will be in compliance with Government guidelines on health, social distancing and hygiene to ensure safety of all stakeholders. It said the sporting activity should take place in a staged fashion with an initial phase of small group of less then ten athletes and the activities in a non-contact fashion while maintaining the social distancing, prior to moving on to a subsequent phase of large group of over 10 athletes and activities including full contact training and competition in sport.
This SOP applies to all SAI and non-SAI training centres wherein athletes may undertake sports activities, including training. Resumption of activities will be allowed as per Government guidelines. This SOP covers all stakeholders active at the centres.