Green signal for the training of non-contact games in Assam

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Sports activities in the State finally looks to begin after State Government today allowed to start the training of non-contact sports in open space. The order will allow sports associations like tennis, badminton, table tennis and a few others to begin their activities.

Badminton and tennis were among the few sports associations in the State which earlier started training once the first phase of lockdown, imposed to combat Covid-19, came to an end. But later they had to stop their activities once again as State government imposed second phase of lock down in the last part of June.

As per the new order, issued by Chief Secretary of Assam Kumar Sanjay Krishna on Sunday, non contact sports in open space with social distancing can start. Gymnasiums too are allowed to operate between Monday to Friday following the specific rules of opening.

Welcoming the news the secretary of the All Assam Tennis Association Ankush Dutta said, "We are very happy with the new order as it will allow us to start training once again. We need a couple of days to make everything in order and hope our players would be able to return into the court within next three-four days. We will strictly follow the Government's guide line which was given to us earlier."

Similar voice was echoed by the secretary of the Assam Badminton Association Omar Rashid. Talking to The Sentinel he said, "We were waiting for the permission from the Government to begin training. After the first phase of lock down we started training but stopped immediately when second phase of lock down was imposed. Shuttlers, although doing exercise at their home, but are out of on court training nearly one and half months."

When asked about the possible timing when the shuttlers will start to return into the court Rashid said, "We need around seven-day because we have to sanitize the stadium campus and also to install all the facilities related to the hygiene of the players and officials as per the guide lines of the government."

Meanwhile the general secretary of the Assam Weightlifting Association Bhabajyoti Goswami, who is also the general secretary of the Assam Body Builders and Fitness Association, today thanks the State government to allow the gymnasiums to open. All the gymnasiums of the State were closed till date once the first phase of lockdown was imposed in the country. Goswami, who was earlier appealed to the State Government to reconsider the opening of Gymnasium, said that gymnasium plays a big role on the fitness of athletes and also to the common people. Now we can open it by following the necessary guide lines. It is good news for us and we thanks State government for it. 

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