Three-week vacation across SAI NCOEs, Olympic probable athletes to continue training at NCOEs

All athletes and staff who stay back will undergo weekly RT PCR test.

Khel Today Reporter

New Delhi: In view of the rising cases of Covid-19 across India and keeping the health and safety of athletes in mind, the Sports Authority of India has taken the decision to allow summer vacations across all National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) for a period of three weeks. However, elite athletes who are part of the National Camps and are training for Olympics and other international competitions at the NCOEs will continue to stay and train in their respective campuses. Their sparring partners will also be allowed to train with them. Athletes who have to attend classes or have to appear in examinations will be allowed to stay in the campus and will be provided all facilities. All athletes and staff who stay back will undergo weekly RT PCR test.

SAI will arrange for the safe return of all NCOE athletes who are heading home. Athletes will be provided air tickets from the NCOE to the nearest airport of their hometown and those living within a 500-km radius will be given AC 3 Tier train tickets.

As stated in the latest SAI SOP, SAI will conduct weekly RT-PCR tests for athletes, coaches and support staff who stay back on campus to ensure close monitoring of the Covid situation.

SAI is making every effort to keep the athletes and support staff in the bio-bubble safe and conducted mass precautionary RT-PCR tests at NCOEs in Kolkata, Thiruvanantapuram, Sonepat and Lucknow. Out of 1477 tests that were conducted in these centers, only 17 people tested positive which is 1.15% of the total tests done.