The MHA’s guidelines allows controlled activities at stadiums and sport complexes, creating hope among athletes of resuming training soon; spectators will still not be allowed. (Pic: Twitter/Indian cricket).
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ new set of guidelines, to be implemented in the fourth stage of the nationwide lockdown, relax restrictions on sports facilities, and stadiums and sports complexes can be opened. Spectators will still not be allowed to enter, though. “Sports complexes and stadiums will be permitted to open, however, spectators will not be allowed,” the announcement said.
The reopening of stadiums and sports complexes from Monday (May 18) is likely to get the Indian sports federations back on track to resume sports, with a possibility of resuming training for athletes -- all which was suspended mid-March.
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Despite a lot of restrictions being eased, restrictions on travels are still in place, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it is going to wait before scheduling any training camp for the contracted players.
"... the safety and well-being of its athletes and support staff is paramount and [the BCCI] will not rush into any decision that can hamper or jeopardize India's efforts in containing the spread of the virus," BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal said in a statement late on Sunday.
As far as matches are concerned, India has a tour of Sri Lanka chalked in for June for a limited-overs series but those matches are likely to get suspended till further notice due to the pandemic.
Last week, Dhumal said that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore is being prepared so that some kind of ‘post-lockdown regime’ for Indian cricketers can be started in the fourth phase of the lockdown.
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