Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju assured the athletes all precautions will be taken before stadiums and complexes are opened.
“I’m happy to inform sportspersons and all concerned that sports activities will be conducted in sports complexes and stadia strictly in accordance with MHA guidelines and that of the States in which they are situated,” Rijiju tweeted on Monday.
“However, use of gyms & swimming pools are still prohibited,” he added.
I'm happy to inform sportspersons and all concerned that sports activities will be conducted in sports complexes and stadia strictly in accordance with MHA guidelines and that of the States in which they are situated. However, use of gyms & swimming pools are still prohibited. pic.twitter.com/zDHECy09iF
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 18, 2020
Fresh guidelines for the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday.
Among them is the decision to allow the use of sports stadiums and complexes but without any spectators.
After the announcement of the guidelines on Sunday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also released a statement saying that they will carefully study those before deciding to open their facilities for the cricketers.
“Taking into the account the restrictions on air travel and movement of people till May 31, the BCCI will wait further before organizing a skill-based training camp for its contracted players,” an official statement from the board added.
“The Board reiterates that the safety and well-being of its athletes and support staff is paramount and will not rush into any decision that can hamper or jeopardize India’s efforts in containing the spread of the virus,” the BCCI statement added.