New Delhi: In a positive sign for sports infrastructure, the Home Ministry on Sunday permitted sports complexes and stadia to reopen in lockdown 4.0. But the big news for sports lovers and athletes remained elusive as sporting activities remain out of bounds.
Sports complexes and stadia will be permitted to open, but spectators will not be allowed, said one of the guidelines for the fourth lockdown which will continue upto May 31. With functions, gatherings and congregations remaining beyond permissible norms, the sports enthusiasts have to wait longer for their special seasons to kick off.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had held a series of video conferences with the athletes to know their views on resumption of sporting activities last week. But most of the athletes were not in favour of it.
On May 3, Rijiju had declared that the ministry was aiming for a phased resumption of national camps by the month-end for at least the Olympic-bound athletes raising the expectation of sports lovers.
COVID-19 cases have crossed 90,000 in the country with nearly 3000 succumbing to the disease.
