Chandigarh dept issues time slots to eligible players for practice

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 11

As the UT Administrator allowed meritorious international/national sportspersons to use sports complexes after taking special permission, the UT Sports Department has started issuing time slots.

Till date, a swimmer and a para-paddler veteran couple has been given the special permission to use the facilities after they provided schedule of their upcoming international and national events.

Special permission

Till date, a swimmer and a para-paddler veteran couple have been given special permission to use the facilities after they provided the schedule of their upcoming international and national events.

“The department is equally serious about the welfare of sportspersons amid Covid crisis. Permissions have been granted to the eligible sportspersons after cross-checking their schedule and assessing their need to prepare for the events. They have been given dedicate time slots in which they can carry out their preparation,” said Tejdeep Singh Saini, Director, Sports.

Providing a relief to local sportspersons preparing for various national/international competitions, the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore had recently allowed to open complexes in a phased manner despite the existing partial lockdown. The complexes were said to open after taking a special permission from the UT Secretary, Sports. However, the approval and allotment of timings were subject to the need of the players. The decision came after Chandigarh Tribune highlighted issues faced by local sportspersons. Earlier, the department had announced to close all local complexes due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.

“We have received requests from other players also. However, they have not mentioned the exact dates of championships which they were scheduled to play. As confirmed by the higher authorities, we cannot allow everyone to use these complexes. Other sportspersons bound to practice have to wait for fresh orders or should provide proper schedule,” said Saini.

Proud moment for department

Clearing doubts raised by some sports lovers and sportspersons on converting three sports complexes into Covid care centres, Saini maintained that it’s a proud moment for the department. “It’s a proud moment for us as our complexes are being used in the fight against Covid. The complexes were closed otherwise and players will only practice once the situation is back to normal. For that matter of fact, these care centres will also be closed by that time. It’s a temporary arrangement considering the need of beds and others technical aspect to save lives of people,” said Saini.

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