Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday that tournaments can be started in the empty stadium from August, but the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appealed to adopt flexibility in the program depending on the situation. The Sports Minister held an online meeting with the IOA and representatives of 15 national federations including wrestling, hockey, boxing, and shooting to discuss the future training of players, their representation in national and international competitions, and the organization of sports competitions in India.
Kiren Rijiju said, "After the meeting, the Sports Ministry will review all ideas and work closely with the federation to open the games. I think from August we will be able to start some sports competitions as well." However, IOA President Narinder Batra called for flexibility in the annual calendar, given the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Batra, who was present during the meeting, said, "ACTC (Annual Competition and Training Calendar) will have to have flexibility this year so that decisions can be taken according to the changed conditions." During the meeting, the ministry suggested that the federation hand over the interim ACTC, so that the training of the players who have qualified for the Olympics can be started in a phased manner. The ACTC can be reviewed when the relevant international federation publishes the calendar of international competitions. Sports Minister Rijiju said, "We are in the first phase of unlocking and as the country, we are slowly getting accustomed to the current situation, it is the right time to slowly open the games following the safety rules."
He said, "The federation is in a position to make the best decision for each game, and the ministry wants to know their suggestions. After the Coronavirus, their ideas will play an important role in India's plan in the games." The minister also appealed to all the federations to talk to the league managers and prepare a proposal for some tournaments, which could be held in each sport for the coming months. He said, "We need to have small tournaments in the stadium and there should be no spectators during this time but we can try to show the games on television and social media." The meeting was attended by the presidents and general secretaries of archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, fencing, football, hockey, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. Sports Secretary Ravi Mittal, SA Director-General Sandeep Pradhan, IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta were also present during the meeting.
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