Athletes resuming training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres across the country will have to sign consent forms, acknowledging the “risks” associated with restarting practice amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the SAI revealed on Thursday.
Unveiling its Standard Operating Procedure for resumption of training following relaxation in lockdown guidelines, SAI also gave out the consent forms that the athletes and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have to fill up as part of the SOP.
The form requires athletes to acknowledge that they understand that SAI cannot “guarantee complete elimination of the risks” associated with resumption of training amid the pandemic. “I hereby acknowledge the risks associated with resuming training at the centre under the present Covid-19 pandemic situation,” the form states.
The SAI said that the signing of consent form would be monitored by its Covid-19 Task Force. “The task force shall ensure each athlete provides a signed consent form declaring their consent and knowledge of all the limitations and risks associated with training under current scenario,” the SOP states.
Strict protocol
Athletics, hockey, badminton, boxing and shooting were among the 11 disciplines which were permitted to resume outdoor training following relaxations in the lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weightlifters, archers, cyclists, fencers, wrestlers and paddlers too can resume training with requisite safety measures. The SOP, however, prohibits sparring for contact disciplines and has barred the use of swimming pools for now.
“Human sparring, use of boxing ring, etc. is prohibited,” the SOP said.
Even though the SOP will be “applicable with immediate effect”, resumption of sports activities across the country will depend entirely on local administrations.
“The protocols of the SOP will be effective from immediate effect, but the logistics might take time,” SAI secretary Rohit Bharadwaj said in an online press conference to unveil the SOP.
“The SOP is a broad reference document which can be customised according to local conditions,” he added.
