Ministry urges Sports Federations to stop conducting events

The sports ministry on 19 March advised all National Federations to refrain from conducting tournaments and selection trials till 15 April besides asking them to ensure that Olympic-bound athletes are isolated from anyone who is not a part of their training camp.

The directive has been necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc on sporting events across the globe. The fresh advisory puts a question-mark on the upcoming Indian Grand Prix of athletics that is to be held on 20 March.

"All sport organisations and their affiliate units are advised against holding any sports events, including competitions or selection trials till 15th April, 2020," the ministry said in a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and NSFs. It also asked federations to not allow any non-camper athlete, coach or support staff in Olympic training camps without following proper quarantine protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministry's two-point directive states: "No exposure to athlete be allowed from outside in the campus where training is underway. "No coach, technical/support staff athlete etc presently not in training camp and not staying in the training campus be allowed to interact or mingle with trainee athletes without following quarantine protocols."

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