Indian hockey teams to resume sports activities from August 19, confirms SAI
Aug 12, 2020
New Delhi [India], Aug 12 : Amid coronavirus threat, Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday announced that the Indian men's and women's hockey teams will resume sports activities from August 19, following the completion of their 14-day quarantine period.
"After having had detailed discussions with all stakeholders including the chief coaches and core probables of both the teams and after giving the utmost priority to the safety and well-being of all the athletes, it has been decided that the sporting activities will be resumed at SAI's National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, as scheduled earlier," SAI said in a statement.
Earlier, six players were tested positive for the coronavirus after returning to the camp. All of them have been shifted to hospital as a precautionary measure.
Mandeep was shifted to a hospital on Monday after his blood oxygen level dropped below normal. Other players to have tested positive for the virus are India hockey captain Manpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh, Varun Kumar, and Krishan B Pathak.
"Amid growing concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to have detailed discussions with all stakeholders of both the teams, which resulted in having their consensus on the resumption of sports activities from 19th August 2020 onwards while maintaining proper social distancing norms and other guidelines in the SAI SOP," read a SAI statement.
The Indian women's team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said he has received a very positive response from his team.
Speaking on the announcement by SAI, Marijne said, "I say it on behalf of the whole squad that we are very happy to be back at the National Camp and resuming sports activities by following all the protocols, and feeling safe. Having spoken to all the players about the resumption, I have received a positive response from each of them. We look forward to work hard on the teams fitness in this protected environment."
Indian men's team chief coach Graham Reid said players are eager to return to field while following all the health and safety measures.
"Following a detailed discussion with all our players and members of the support staff, I am delighted that we will be resuming sports activities here at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru. It is good to know that everyone is eager while making sure their health and wellbeing is our collective priority," Reid said.
"We are also in constant touch with the six players who have tested positive for COVID 19. They are in good spirits, and are looking forward to a quick recovery. Once recovered and after following protocol of quarantine, we look forward to have them back with us," he added.
Speaking about the decision, Captain (Indian Navy) A K Bahl, Senior Director, NCOE Bengaluru said, "We are prepared to start sporting activities for the hockey teams. We will provide all logistical support required, as required by the chief coaches of both teams in accordance with SOPs, and ensure that the teams can train in a safe environment."
Both the men's and women's teams are currently at the SAI's National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where they are in quarantine for a 14-days period since their arrival on August 4.
