SAI wants report from WFI over flouting of COVID-19 rules

The tournament started from Saturday in Noida.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) wants a report from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over flouting of COVID-19 rules during the ongoing Wrestling National Championships.

The competition has been going on at the indoor arena of the Noida Stadium. Some media reports mentioned that social distancing norms and other procedures have been ignored during the tournament.

SAI said in a statement, "The Sports Authority of India has taken cognisance of media reports which state that social distancing norms and other procedures in the SOPs for organising competitions amidst the coronavirus pandemic were allegedly flouted at the Wrestling National Championships held at the Noida Stadium on January 23."

Speaking about the issue, SAI director general Sandip Pradhan remarked, "We have taken up the matter with the Wrestling Federation of India and impressed upon them that the SOP for competitions has to be adhered to strictly. We have also sought a report from the Federation on the falleged violation, by Monday. The federation has assured compliance of protocol."

SAI has also requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to sensitize all National Sports Federations (NSF) to follow the covid protocols strictly to ensure the safety of athletes.

On December 26, the sports ministry had released an eight-page Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for organising competitions in the midst of a pandemic, in which it underlined that the events should be conducted strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the union ministry of home affairs.

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