By Sohail Ali
LAHORE, Aug 17 (APP):Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti has announced the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sports training activities across the province.
He said here on Monday that all players, teams and coaches of the province, etc., will have to follow Punjab government’s SOPs strictly to combat the coronavirus pandemic. “All open tournaments, matches and other sports competitions will remain suspended till complete eradication of coronavirus,” he added.
Giving details of the SOPs, the sport minister said separate training gear should be used in sports like boxing, judo and karate. “The training activities of games like football, hockey, badminton and table tennis could be conducted in small groups with social distancing in place,” he asserted.
“The games such as volleyball and basketball where players used to share combine playing facilities will be banned completely during COVID-19 pandemic. However, team and individual games could be competed in water with social distancing in place,” said the minister.
Rai Taimoor said that temperature of players should be checked at all entry points of sports grounds and training centers. “All the players and officials must use face masks in gathering while traveling for training. Six-feet social distancing should also be followed at training sites, changing rooms and sports offices etc,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director General Sports Board Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh has urged players to sanitise their sports gear and wash their hands repeatedly especially before and after the training sessions.
“Players should always cover their faces and nose while coughing and sneezing.
The players who have fever or cough must be sent for check up immediately,” he advised.
Adnan Arshad Aulakh warned that legal action could be taken against the persons who will commit violation of Punjab govt’s SOPs.