Cricket, kho-kho, badminton get green light to resume practice in Pune; no events allowed

Citing caveats on the order, Kumar clarified that no children below the age of 10, or senior citizens above the age of 65, will be allowed to participate; swimming pools and gymnasiums will continue to remain closed

Pune’s municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar, on Tuesday, allowed all practice of more indoor and outdoor sports to resume in the city.

The PMC order states that only players deemed necessary should be allowed to play, to ensure there is no rush at any given time. (HT FILE)

Citing caveats on the order, Kumar clarified that no children below the age of 10, or senior citizens above the age of 65, will be allowed to participate. Also, the ability of the sport to ensure a minimum level of social distancing will be the rule of law in terms of it being permissible.

Kumar said, “Outdoor games like cricket and kho-kho, and indoor games like badminton and tennis will be allowed, where social distancing can be maintained. This permission is only for practice and organisations cannot hold any sports events.”

Swimming pools and gymnasiums will continue to remain closed.

The PMC order states that only players deemed necessary should be allowed to play, to ensure there is no rush at any given time.

Sports complex authorities are to conduct thermal scanning of players and employees, and keep a record of players for the purpose of contact tracing, if needed.

Kumar said, “While practising indoors, windows and doors should kept open to avoid the use of air conditioning. The equipment used should be sanitised repeatedly.”

If players have any symptoms like a cough or are running temperature, they should not be allowed to participate.

Mohan Jadhav, cricket coach, Vengsarkar Cricket Academy, said, “It is good news of resuming sports activities. We have put in place our SOPs at our academy.”.

Tejal Hasabnis, India A player, said, “To get the permission was very crucial for players who were doing skill practice at homes. Now they can hone their talent on the ground.”

Ranjeet Natu, honorary secretary, Poona District Metropolitan Badminton Association, said, “Modern Sports Complex will be functioning from Thursday and all nine courts will be open for practice. We will have SOPs and onus is on players to follow norms.”

Purva Barve, Pune shuttler, said, “I am happy with the news. While I was regular in fitness workout at home, I was missing courts. My coach Nikhil Kanetkar gave me timely pep talks and helped me whenever I was tense.”