The fate of the 36th 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.
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