National camp for Indian hockey teams to start on Tuesday

Teams were sent on a six-week break due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The members of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will join the national camp at Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bengaluru from August 4 to continue their preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The decision was taken by SAI after a formal permission was received from the state government to begin training at the Bengaluru campus. Players will train in the national camp till September 30.

“The athletes, coaches and support staff, who were on a home break, will join the national camp on August 4 and undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine inside the campus,” SAI said in a statement.

“Considering the rising number of Covid 19 cases in Bengaluru, the permission from the state government has been given subject to all arriving athletes, coaches and support staff adhering to institutional quarantine protocols issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Government of Karnataka.”

As a proactive measure, SAI Bengaluru administration has already held online workshops for athletes, coaches and support staff scheduled to join the camp on precautionary measures to be followed while on campus.

“The camp will begin in keeping with all protocols and in strict adherence to the SOPs of SAI and that of the state government. Athletes, coaches and support staff will also be tested when they arrive in Bengaluru to ensure that all campers are at a reduced risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus,” SAI added in its statement.

A total of 33 men probables and eight coaches and support staff have been asked to report at the centre. The strength of the women’s camp is 31 which include 24 players.