Bengaluru: The Indian men and women hockey campers have been asked to report to Sports Authority of India centre, on August 4 after an extended break caused to COVID-19 pandemic. The players have been requested to be present for the SAI organised camp which will go on till September 30.
According to SAI, around 33 men including eight coaches and support staff are expected to gather while women’s camp will have a total of 31 individuals, which comprises 24 players. The players and support staff, who will reach from different portions of the country and also from abroad, will be undergoing a two-week quarantine inside the campus only before they resume training.
The players moved back to their hometowns on June 19 for a four-week vacation after staying in the camp for almost four months. The sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in the city steered the resumption of camp on hold. Another test will be conducted again after the quarantine span is over.
During a discussion with the players and staff, SAI announced, “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. 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.”
Preparations are already going on to greet all the players on their arrival. Some athletes have been shifted to the old hostels who were earlier at the national campers’ hostel. All hostels including both men and women’s hostels are being tidied and sterilized.
The players will be restricted to individual residency during these two weeks. As stated by the state government measures, the players need to update their temperature on a given app. After all this, they will be tested again at the end of the quarantine period.
SAI is also supposed to negotiate the delivery of food and other necessary allotments to each respective players’ residences and also making sure that those providing them with all necessities are under complete protection. Every room will be furnished with essential cleaning equipment and the players will have to clean their own rooms all by themselves.
The neighborhood surrounding both the hostels will be isolated and entry will be restricted to approved individuals solely. In case if anyone still tests positive, an isolation location has also been stipulated.
SAI has put in strong inspections and regulations and litigation will be taken against any player who breaks any quarantine regulations. While the women’s team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne and analytical coach Janneke Schopman, who had traversed back home in the month of June to the Netherlands are awaited to come back on Saturday.
