State govt allows sports activities but wait and watch by local authorities

Nagpur, June 3

Although the state government has decided to lift the lockdown-like restrictions from Friday in 18 out of 36 Maharashtra districts the local sports authorities have maintained the 'wait and watch'

After the first wave of Coronavirus, the sporting activities resumed in the city. But when second wave wreaked the havock, once again the sports activities were kept of hold since March end. Finally, on Thurdsay the state government lifted all the restrictions paving the way to sports activities.

However, in this regard when contacted NMC additional commissioner he said, " Although the state government has lifted the lockdown-like restrictions we have not received any official communication. Therefore, at present I can't tell whether sporting activities will begin or not.

Director of Department of Sports and Physical Education of RTM NapurUniversity Dr Sharad Suryavanshi has echoed the similar views. " We have not received any directions from either District collector or the municipal corporation about resuming sports activities. However, if we receive any order we are ready to open Subhedar badminton hall, athletic track, and other facilities at university playground immediately", he said.

The president of Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) Haresh Vora has welcomed the decision of the state government to filt the restrictions. Asked about resumption of football activities he said, " Out first priority is to complete the senior division league which is put on hold . After completion of league, we will start the player's transfer process and only then we will be able to start annual leagues including Elite Division and Super Division. We are not in a hurry because we have lot of time in our hands", he said.

Badminton coach Kiran Makode too hailed the state government's decision but said it will take some time to resume the sports activities. " We will have to convince the parents to send their wards for the training. We can't start the training abruptly. We will wait for the decision of local authorities and then only start the activities", he said.