Training of ‘elite’ athletes to resume post lockdown: Rijiju

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday that the training of “elite” athletes would resume once the nationwide lockdown ends. The nationwide lockdown, which was implemented to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, has brought the entire sporting active to an unprecedented standstill.

“Once the lockdown is lifted, we will resume the training of our elite athletes followed by other SAI Training Centres in a phased manner,” Rijiju said. He had earlier said that the ministry is planning a phase-wise re-opening of training camps for the athletes. “First of all, we will identify those players and teams who have qualified for the Olympics.

Second, those who are going to play the Olympic qualification competitions, we will allow these athletes to practice. We won›t be able to open camps for those who are not in qualification reckoning soon. Maybe that will go beyond August or September,” Rijiju had said.