No local league this season: Dhrubajyoti Kalita

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Gauhati Sports Association (GSA) has decided not to host Super Division and other football leagues this season. In an interaction with The Sentinel the secretary of GSA Dhrubajyoti Kalita informed that Bordoloi Trophy too likely to be postponed by a year for the same reason. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): No football activities this season!

Dhrubajyoti: Yes. We have decided not to organize any football leagues including Super Division this season because of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

(TS): Have you discussed the matter with local clubs before taking such decision?

Dhrubajyoti: Yes. We have taken the views from the officials of the local clubs which are affiliated to the GSA. All of them feel that the soccer leagues should be cancelled this year. According to them, most of the clubs prepared teams with the players who are either from outside the district or state. So giving them accommodation by maintaining proper COVID-19 guide lines would be very difficult. On the other hand, ground is also not available for training. We have earlier planned to postpone all the leagues till the first part of next year but it is not sure whether the situation would turn normal even that time also. A few clubs also suggested that it would not be possible for them to take part in the league twice in a single year because of constraint fund. So it was decided to cancel all the soccer the leagues this season.

(TS): What about Bordoloi Trophy !

Dhrubajyoti: Final decision has not taken yet. But the situation is still very grim and we don't know whether it would be possible to hold the meet this year. We will take decision in this regard very soon.

(TS): Other events !

Dhrubajyoti: We won't face too much problem to organize other events if situation turns normal and we get necessary permission. Apart from football we also have sections like Badminton, Table Tennis, Hockey, Athletics etc and clubs put local players in these competitions.

(TS): Players will return into the training and competition after a long break. Has GSA any plan for them?

Dhrubajyoti: As per new guide lines Sports activities will begin in the State from the third week of this month. We are thinking to take some steps so that players don't face too much problem at the time of returning into the sports arena. If necessary we will take the help of Assam Olympic Association too.

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