The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has confirmed that training at the Indian hockey camp will resume from next week. The players, both male and female, will return to SAI’s South Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka on August 4.
Due to the onset of the novel Coronavirus outbreak in India, players at the hockey camp were put under lock down, and remained at the camp for almost four months. Following the ease of restrictions with unlock phases, the players were able to head back home on 19th June, for a month’s break before the camp was originally planned to kick off from 19th July.
Unfortunately, due to the surge of COVID cases in Bengaluru, the city was put under lock down again. As a result, the players were unable to make it back to the hockey camp, and the resumption date had to be pushed back from July 19th.
Indian hockey camp at Bengaluru to resume from next week
The good news is, SAI has finally announced to be restarting the hockey camp from 4th August, after more than six weeks cap since mid June. The camp is scheduled to run until 30th September.
A total of 57 players and 15 coaches and supporting personnel have been approached to report back to the camp. Among them, there are 33 men and 24 women players, as well as eight and seven coaching and support staffs for them respectively.
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Moreover, SAI has confirmed to put all the hockey players through the necessary protocols before they will resuming training. Complying with the guidelines set by the Health and Family Welfare department of the state govt, all players will be put to a 14 day home quarantine in solo accomodations, and will undergo rapid antigen testing before and after the quarantine period.
“The athletes, coaches and support staff joining SAI, Bengaluru, will have to adhere to the guidelines of Government of India, the state and the guidelines of local bodies with regard to Covid-19,” the SAI said in a communication.
“On arrival in Bengaluru, everyone will be tested for COVID-19. The athletes should undergo strict quarantine protocol and the testing schedule laid out by SAI SOP,” SAI added.
For any player, coach or staff who will test positive, a self isolation zoo has been set up. During the home quarantine period, SAI has confirmed to arrange food and all necessary commodities for the players and other personnel.
During the quarantine period, players will have to temperature test themselves, and report it via a mobile app. They will also have to sanitise their own rooms with equipments provided by the SAI. Stern measure will be taken against any player or personnel who breaks the protocols.
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