IOA indefintely postpones 36th National Games

The 36^th National Games- scheduled to be hosted by Goa from October 20 to November 4,2020- has been postponed indefinitely by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra  on Thursday evening.

The IOA President and Secretary  were informed after the National Games Organising Committee(NGOC) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that there was uncertainty over hosting the National Games as requested by IOA in its letter to Goa on May 15,2020.

“I sent a message to my President and secretary soon after the meeting stating Goa’s concern  over hosting the Games during the stipulated dates and that the NGOC had decided to write to the Sports Ministry in New Delhi for clarity and advise on the same,” Goa Olympic Association (GOA) secretary Gurudutta Bhakta told goalfest@blogfest.com .

 “ Goa is ready to host the National Games.My oficers have worked tirelessly to see that all systems are in place. But since this pandemic , we are not sure wether we should go ahead as IOA has requested us or not because the expenditure  on Operational Costs cannot be recovered. That is why we have written to the honourable Sports Minister for guidance,” Sports Minister Babu Azgaonakr told goalfest@blogspot.com.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in its letter dated May 15,2020 had written to the Government of Goa requesting that the National Games be held on schedule. “After assesment of the information in our knowledge ,  Dr Narinder Batra , senior officials of the IOA and I affirm that the National Games should be hosted in the same scheduleas was announced ,20^th October -4^th November 2020,” the IOA letter signed by IOA secretary General Rajeev Mehta had written.

“Members were unanimous in the meeting that it is too early to gauge how this pandemic will be behaving. The number of cases are increasing everyday. So , e decided to meet somewhere in the last week of July to take stock of the situation. We felt it is too early to take a call now,” stated VM Prabhudesai  Executive Director of  Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).

“We will require to spend atleast another Rs 200 crores as operational costs. Logistics such as transport, accomodation , food and the opening and closing ceremony are some of the things that will need to be worked on. These are things that we cannot expect a refund once they are paid for and therefore we are asking the Sports Ministry at the Centre  for guidance,” added Prabhudesai.

 

 

 

 

SAI releases SOP to kickstart sports

 

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for sportspeople in India has been released by Sports Authority of India after consultations with “stakeholders” – none of them being active sportspeople. The thirty three page document with four annexures was released on Thursday and aims as a guideline all involved in sports should adopt.

GOALFEST.blogspot.COM HIGHLIGHTS CERTAIN OPERATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SOP:

It is the responsibility of National Sports Federations (NSFs) to ensure complete adherence to training protocols and to secure agreement from respective athletes that any training activity undertaken shall be in full compliance to the protocols mentioned hereunder. NSF shall nominate a Hygiene Officer to ensure compliance and implementation of all protective measures for athlete and staff safety.

 

►     Obligatory written confirmation (could be in the form of text message) of the infection-free condition of players and staff shall be provided to COVID Task Force officers before entering the premises

►     All personal training equipment belonging to an athlete shall be disinfected while the athlete is inducted into the training centre.

►     Athletes and staff shall be screened before being allowed access to common field-of-play/training facilities. Oropharyngeal or nasal Swab test shall be conducted for new/returning athletes (especially athletes in Olympic camps). MoHFW may be consulted for same regarding Government guidelines and cost of testing.

 

►     FOP equipment shall be handed over to the athletes and support staff only by the ground staff wearing personal protective equipment for diagnostic officers (FFP 2-3, protective gowns, goggles, gloves)

 

►     Athletes shall change before and after the training at their respective home or room. Use of low ventilated spaces and rooms that prevent social distancing, such as locker rooms and small dry-land rooms shall be eliminated.

 

►     A coach or staff member should ask athletes, as they come into practice, if they feel ill in any way, specifically listing certain symptoms, and send home those athletes reporting illness or experiencing symptoms. Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing, or other symptoms.

 

►     Athletes/coaches who begin to cough/sneeze for any reason, must move away from others until coughing/sneezing dissipates.

 

►     As most injuries occur early in the season, deconditioned athletes shall not be rushed back to full practice, or competition. Activities may be increased by 10% each week upon resumption of training.

 

►     Residential athletes requiring usage of common shower areas shall ensure soaps, towels and any other utility is not shared

 

►     On-field training shall be conducted in small groups ensuring minimum distancing of 1.5 to 2 metres (“2 Gaz ki doori”[1]) is maintained at all times by trainees and staff

 

►     Any training equipment used shall be disinfected before next usage by a different individual. Athletes shall only be allowed to use personal equipment as including utilities like towels, water bottles etc.

 

►     Hand-hygiene facilities shall be made available adjacent to field-of-play for use as and when necessary.

 

►     Physical contact of any form shall be avoided as part of training routine, for example handshakes, high-fives, tackling, sparring etc.

 

►     Spitting and clearing of nasal/respiratory secretions on the pitch or at any place within the facility other than toilets shall be prohibited.

 

►     Training shall be planned in a manner which prevents the need of physiotherapy or recovery post training

 

►     Use of swimming pool shall be avoided during this period. Separate SOP covering guidelines for swimming activities may be referred as necessary.

 

►     All trainers and support staff shall also adhere to the precautionary measures mentioned in this SOP at all times without exception.

 

►     Athletes shall also perform hand-hygiene before and after use of all training equipment

 

►     Special precautions shall be taken for training engagement of para-athletes as per guidelines and instructions of qualified medical personnel.

 

►     Athletes must remain inside the training facilities till the Covid-19 situation stabilizes

 

►     No spectators shall be allowed within training centre at any time. Only athletes and training staff shall be present at the venue.

 

►     Primary focus shall be on creating a healthy environment with quality experience, progressive training and safety of all athletes and staff.

 

►     Coaches may use downtime to ensure all safety skills are up-to-date, including complete sport safety, concussion training etc.

 

Precautions for gymnasium/physiotherapy room

 

►     Use of gym shall be avoided/ limited to inescapable requirement; and as far as possible exercise shall be allowed using personal equipment, which shall not be shared by any other trainee.

 

►     If exercising in gym is deemed necessary, distancing norms of 1.5 to 2 metres shall be adhered to at all times and it shall be ensured that no utility like towel, water bottle etc. is shared

 

►     The use of gym shall be allowed in specific time slots, allowing sufficient time for disinfection between two slots, and the maximum number of people allowed to use the gym at a time shall be determined by the COVID Task Force of respective centre

 

►     Use of the fitness equipment shall be permitted only while wearing gloves and face mask and under consequent use of disinfectants afterwards. Use of the fitness room shall be permitted only in small groups of maximum 5 people under observance distancing norms.

 

►     Spatial separation and sufficient distance between gym equipment shall be ensured at all times.

 

►     Each gym equipment shall be disinfected after every single use. Additional staff shall be appointed for proper disinfection of the gym equipment prior to continuous usage.

 

►     Trainees shall be encouraged to undertake additional freehand exercises and practice yoga extensively during this period

 

All physiotherapy/massage shall be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

SAI has categorized sports depending on the nature of training and competition requirements and assigned baseline precautions to each category[2]. These precautions shall be adhered to at all times.

 

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The following is a list of references used for creating the SOP –

 

1.      The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Covid-19 Environment, May 2020

 

2.      Standard Operating Procedure for Work Resumption after Lock down, BHEL

 

3.      Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 1st May, 2020

 

4.      Guidelines for Quarantine Facilities, MoHFW

 

5.    Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19, World Health Organisation AIIMS booklet on COVID-19 Study on Resumption of Sport in India – COVID-19 Scenario, IOA booklet .

 

 

 

 

 

 

IOA asks Goa to host 36th National Games on schedule

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has requested  Goa to go ahead with the 36^th National Games from October 20 to November 4,2020 whilst praising the state administration for its preparedness in times of the COVID-19 pandemic  paralysing the country.

“After assesement of the information in our knowledge, president Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra , senior officials of IOA  and I affirm that the National Games should be hosted in the same schedule as was announced , 2oth October – 4^th November 2020,” IOA secretary Rajeev Mehta wrote in a letter dated May 15,2020.

“ We are ready. It is now upto the Government to take a call. The Government will consult with MHA and the Sports Ministry  to decide on how the Games should be hosted and the  release of Rs 70 crores due to us from the sports ministry,” V. M Prabhudesai , Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) told goalfest.

Despite the lock down announced on March 24 , the Local Organising Committee of the 36 th National Games-headed by Sports Secretary Ashok Kumar-  did not drop guard . “We are tying knots that are possible . Tomorrow if IOA says that the Games shuld be held, we cannot be unprepared. Asking for postponemnets is definitely not an alternative,” Ashok kumar had mentioned when the second Lockdown 2 was announced.

“As informed by the Games Technical Committee Chairman (GTTC) Mr. Mukesh Kumar we are pleased to know that the infrastructure projects and procurement of equipments are underway,as scheduled,and the fact that Goa is in the green zonein the nationwide lock down is benefecial in the preparations . We  commend the Government of Goa for its action to well protect the State from COVID-19,” the IOA secrtary stated in his letter.

“We understand your concern regarding the participation of athletes /teams in the National Games. The lockdown affected sports and some of the national championships were cancelled during the lockdown. Our member National Sports Federations is eagerly looking forward to the National Games in Goa.We would be working closely with  the Federations to ensure that alternate qualification norms are adopted , if not for qualifier competitions , to facilitate the accreditation any sports entry in time,” assured Rajeev .

“Sporting activities would  restart soon and the Sports Authority of India has already announced the SOP for resuming sports . Accordingly, there would be training in advance and participation of the athletes/teamin the National Games,” opined Rajeev in his letter.

“The many postponements of the National Games in Goa has been a matter of concern.As informed earlier, any further postponement would impact the entire sporting fraternity. So we request you to please expedite the preparations and host the Gamesas scheduled this year,” concluded Rajeev.

The use of stadiums – without  fans- was one of therelaxations of  Lockdown 4 by the Government of India  on Sunday.The start of Bundesliga  was the first indicator that countries are laying emphasis on sports and the hosting of the 36^th National Games in Goa  with restrictions could well open India’s sporting window.

“Getting sponsors will be a problem. But if the government is determined, there can be a way out. Hosting the National Games san extravaganza is possible,” a senio IOA member said requesting anonymity.

Sponsors to dress ISL for season 7

The Indian Super League (ISL) which was cruising from its start ,six years ago, to be the top football league of India  has achieved its goal but just when it had done so, has been choked by a virus called COVID-19. The pandemic has left it , like all other sports , battling for breath .

“ISL is expected to come out with a statement in a few days . The dressing will be different but the feel of the past will be attempted to be maintained. Change is bound to be there because the sponsors have been affected most and it will trickle down to the teams,” a senior offical associated with ISL informed.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had through the video conferenced Executive Committee meeting decided to ask  both ISL and I-League teams to adhere to Asian Football Conference (AFC) stipulations permitting three foreign and one player from Asia in a team .Previously , ISL and I-League teams could field five foreign players in a match.

The I -League teams agreed and AIFF press release added: “FSDL will work with AIFF and will present a plan to the Executive Committee on the way forward for foreign players in the next couple of months.”

“Given the current situation all over the world there are two things one has to keep in mind: One is whether the foreign player you sign will be able to fly to be with the team and two ; whether teams will be able to convince sponsors to spend , as they were doing before, on foreign players,” a source linked with sponsorsorship disclosed.

“ It is too early to dwell on the probability of players being able to join their teams by  October  and it is clear that all sponsors have been financially hit badly. From all available indications the Table Tennis , Badminton and Kabaddi leagues have been moved to 2021,” added the source.

“ISL teams are discussing terms and conditions with foreign players and officals. They might have signed some sort of agreemement or come to some sort of understanding with them. I think no club will risk signing foreign players when the situation is fluid. Maybe , the ISL decides to allow teams to field only one foreign player or play with all local players in this edition ,” chuckled the ISL source.

“ We have not received any guidelines from ISL. As you know the financial situation is messy and we have not even met our sponsors or thought of looking for sponsors as India is still in the grip of the virus. There are a lot of statements flying through social media about the fate of players and therefore  clubs. Despite being unsure of what to expect , I am not ready to panic . Time will tell,” an individual having a big stake in a club disclosed, whilst requesting anonymity.

The ISL has maintained the spending budget of Rs 16.5 crores for a team this season but many officials linked with teams are wondering whether they will be able to convince sponsors to shell out  money like they have done in the past.

Companies all over the world , not just in India , are cutting costs . “ The sponsors are going to determine the path ISL is going to tread on this season. They are going to hold the key ,” concluded a source.

 

     

 

Glan Martins set to add more colour to ATK lines in coming ISL season

“If you want to live your dream ,you have to always work hard . One can hardly afford to take a break because every one strives to be the best . There are no full stops in pursuit of the best ,” believes Glan Martins  who will be donning the colours of ATK when the new football season begins.

Glan had to wait for his contract with Sporting Clube de Goa to get over to make his first move to the I-league. “ I knew that I would be spottedby a team in Indian Super league (ISL) had I joined an I-league team. I joined Churchill Brothers and am now in ISL. I don’t want to look back now,” asserts Glan .

Glan showed promise at a young age and was once amongst the few Indian football youngsters to give a trial to a  club in USA when he was 18. Greek Tassos Silous was the first to see his capabilities and Glan has kept on improving since.

“ We wanted to sign him in the Januray transfer window. He could not join us then but we are happy to have him with us now. He has a lot of talent and fits into our coaches style of play , “ a member of ATK technical team told goalfest on condition of anonymity.

“ Actually , when I was informed that ATK were keen on signing me, during the January tranfer window , I was elated. However, at that time , I could not desert Churchill Brothers because ,at that time , we were in contention for the I-Legue title and I did not feel it was right to abandon ship. The Churchill family was good to me right from the beginning,” admits Glan.

Glan has reached this far because he uses his head when in possesion of the ball. A good reader of the game and a player capable of grasping his colleagues minds, Glan occupies a lot of space on the field be it in front or back in the defense. Controlling the pace of the game is one of his forte.

“I still have a lot of things to learn.There will be new hurdles on my way ahead and I am ready for them. I wanted to be in the starting XI of the team and I know I need to work a lot for that place because I am atlast playing amongst the best in the country,” says Glan who, at 25, has a lot in store in him.

“When one is at the top, competition always increases. I will need to be more aggressive now , work even harder and keep learning from the mistakes I made in the past. I have to improve all aspects of my game on the field and even my life off the field,” says the unassuming lad from Velsao in South Goa.

“Playing for a team in ISL was definitely one of my goals. It is not the end because my aim and the ultimate aim of any player is to be the best on the field.To be the best is my ultimate . ATK is the best team in the ISL and I am happy to be with the best team of India. The team will make my journey much easier,” predicts Glan.

“ I come from a simple family and it is this family that has stood by me right from the time I started my walk with football. My mother and father (seen in Picture) were the two who always believed in me and  as I take these steps forward in Indian football , they are still behind me. This journey and the ones ahead will be for them and all my fans,” retorted Glan as he gets back to the ATK training manual sent to the teams players.

ATK has had players from Goa in the past. Cavin Lobo was one who will be remebered for his goal against FC Goa. Glan is capable of adding more colour to those lines.

 

 

IOA President Batra sounds bugle for sports

The fate of the 36^th National Games to be hosted by Goa from October 20, 2020 to November 4, 2020 could be clearer by May 20 when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)is expected to present a Draft White Paper prepared based on responses collated by identified National Sports Federations (NSF’s) and  State Olympic Associations (SOA’s) according to a letter sent by IOA President Narinder Dhruv Batra on May 5.

A twenty nine page document has been sent by the IOA President to all the stake holders of sports in India, seeking their support and feedback to restart sports activities and “preparations for the Olympic Games, other international competitions to be held later in a protected atmosphere confirming to the Government of India (GOI) guidelines under COVID-19scenario.”

In the letter to NSF’s and SOA’s, acessed by Goalfest, the IOA president elicits the views of identified NSF’s and SOA’s in the country to draft a White Paper for:

1: Athletes who have qualified or are likely to qualify for Olympic Games.

2:Other international and national level athletes

3: Activities of State level athletes.

“A final more comprehensive version of the White Paper will be readied for release in June 2020 and it will include response collated by other NSF’s and SOA’s, whose deadline for submission is May 31, 2020,” states the letter addressed by IOA President Batra.

The letter sent by the IOA president starts by outlining the scenario of sports in India. “There is complete uncertainty when the situation will become conducive to travel, train and for competition to be organised, “states Batra in his letter.

Batra goes on to ask “which are the safest sports to start early? How and when should team sports resume in the country? ; How and when should water sports resume in the country? ; and how and when should contact sports resume in the country?”

The study initiated by IOA President Batra asks the concerned officals to elicit on “how social should be maintained in sports like athletics.” “Since players have to touch tennis balls , shuttle cocks , table tennis balls and all other ball sports , how safe would it be to resume these sports and when  ?” asks Batra.

The IOA letter has classified sports in four disciplines- Individual sport, Team sport, Contact sport and Water sport. Archery,athletics,cycling,equestrian,fencing,golf,shooting,squash,table tennis, tennis and weightlifting have been grouped as Individual sport.

Basketball, football, handball, hockey, kabaddi , kho-kho, volleyball etc have been classified as Team sport. Boxing, judo, karate, Taekwondo, wrestling ,Wushu etc have been classified as Contact sport and canoeing ,rowing, sailing and swimming have been classified as Water sport.

The stake holders that are earmarked for consultation whilst preparing the White paper are : Athletes, Coaches, Medical staff and recovery experts; High –Performance support personnel; Match officials; Central government ,including public health professionals, MYAS,SAI and State Sports Associations; sponsors including NGO’s; Media; Fans ; and sports administrators.

 

Life does not cost much ,lifestyle does: Chetan Desai

“ Life does not cost you much , lifestyle does . Sports  was beginning to be part of  Indian lifestyle untill the Corona virus started dictating terms. This is not the beginning of the end of cricket in India but definitely a wake up call to many who have been blinded by the glamour of the game,” believes Chetan Desai as he sees the glass being cured at the empty grounds of the Goa Cricket Association Accademy ground in Porvorim.

Cricket in Goa and Chetan Desai from Goa  are difficult to separate . Both have been together through thick and thin . COVID-19 has left the world in disarray with economies crashing and sports being at the receiving end with social distancing being the new norm in place.

“Sports is the last priority of  the government. Certainly there are more important things but the first signs of  change of attention to sports will be visible  when gyms are open to the public ,” thinks Chetan who is considered to be the blue eyed boy of  former Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya .

COVID-19 has struck sports hard . football in India seems set for a sabbatical this season . Cricket may prop up . But , nothing is sure because despite the pulls of needing to keep the ecosystem going  more attention is focussed on development of the ethos of good living.

“ Previous to this , performance was the maxim on which players were selected. Wit players unable to perform , selection will narrow down to the fitness of players. This, in itself ,  is a quantum shift. We will not be able to wait for players to get a chance to perform as that will need time. Some times , money cannot wait ,” broods Chetan .

“Cricket what we saw before the pandemic will not continue after the pandemic. The game will go on but there will be twicthes in the beginning which will be touched on once the game gets going again and through the years the ball will start rolling normally again ,” thinks Chetan.

Will new talent get lost or clouded or just not get an opportunity to sparkle ?

“The game of cricket cannot and will not be forgotten . Right now though , cricket is not a priority . Saving lives is ; helping people to live is . Maybe some talent is lost but the same lost talent may have got an opportunity to live. The game will not die,” believes Chetan.

Goa  got re-promoted to the Elite League of the Ranji Trophy  and Chetan believes the halt in play will not have a lasting impact on the game in Goa. “The present managing committee has been strenghtening systems and things will continue. The priority right now is to see that everyone is safe,”  says Chetan.

“Pitches will be maintained. Work will go on keeping social distancing as the main paramteter. Whatever needs to be tended in Goa  will be,”assures Chetan .

Football is not just sports but a livelihood: Ranjit Bajaj

Ranjit Bajaj stood up for football in India ,literally alone, when the chips were down and now that the world is pooling together to fight COVID-19 and sports is literally on the back burner he is worried because  “football is not just sports but a livelihood.”

“ Sports is a very important part of the ecosystem and I think football in India will be going through tough times. This virus is capable of not just destroying careers but clubs in India. Change will need to come from within one self first if we want to stop careers and clubs from being destroyed,” Ranjit who sold Punjab FC just before the pandemic broke out  told Goalfest.com.

When Ranjit was chief of Punjab FC , he was also the outspoken spokesman against the ills going on in All India Football Federation (AIFF). Unlike many , he knew when to call a spade a spade and many times got a bollocking for it. Yet ,it did not deter him.

Football in India is at a crossroad with there being doubts that the Indian Super league(ISL) will be held this season and the fate of the I-League even worse. “Sports will be the last thing anyone will want to start. Looking back , I think my selling the reminaing stake of Punjab FC was the best decision ever taken ,” reflects Ranjit as he outlines his plans for Minerva Punjab Academy .

“The AIFF has kept shifting dates of when India will qualify for the World Cup . I am different and have set 2034 as the deadline when my Academy will start churning World Cup players.Through these years we will qulaify and be part of the mainstream of Indian football but the focus now is primarily on the six year olds,” believes Ranjit who has been the most succesful hand in football grass roots development over the last many years- having won all the AIFF Youth titles in store.

“We will be starting the Academy when the situation permits in the country and consider ourselves lucky in deciding to dedicate primarily on youngsters because it is well documented that COVID-19 has limited success with children of this age group. We have the set up in place and boys have already been selected from all over the country,” disclosed Ranjit as his voice dips in releif over his way forward with football in India.

“I will still be the biggest vocal critic of AIFF. My voice will be louder now because now they have no control over me. They used to threaten me with sanctions and fines before and yet they could not muzzle me. They are not going to suceed now,” says Ranjit who is convinced  that football in India will be in peril as long as there is no change at the top.

“AIFF needs a person at the top who can dedicate himself for the game; a man who is president not to use the title on a visiting card but because he is there because he loves the game; he wants to see a change for good in the game. Not a person who takes four months to give an audience to clubs owners who run the game with their passion,” avers Ranjit.

“Football will always remain a contact sport and people as well as players will not be able to risk their lives as long as no medical solution is found for this pandemic. It is going to take somewehere between six months to a year or even a bit more for football to start rolling effortlessly in Inda . We will have to be patient till then,” avers Ranjit.

“Stay Safe ,” he concludes.