SAI working on protocol for recovered athletes

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 14

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is devising plans to manage training workload of athletes who have tested positive for Covid-19.

A team of doctors, physiologists and sports science experts is in the process of drawing up a post-recovery plan for the athletes.

A number of high-profile Indian athletes — including national hockey captain Manpreet Singh and wrestler Vinesh Phogat — have contracted the virus in the last two months. Indian hockey player Surender Kumar had to be readmitted to hospital in Bengaluru after Covid due to thrombosis, or swelling, in his right hand. While he has been discharged from hospital after recovering, his workload is being monitored and he has been given a lighter training plan than his teammates.

“We are developing a protocol for the athletes who have been detected Covid-positive and have later recovered,” a source close to the development said.

“I am given to understand that it will be on a case-to-case basis, depending on the virus load and other factors. A report on this is due,” he said.

After the report is received, SAI will brief athletes on how to start training after recovering.

No training for

recovered wrestlers

Meanwhile, SAI will not allow the wrestlers who have recovered from Covid-19 to start training at its premises in Sonepat, where the national camp is being held.

Four wrestlers — Deepak Punia, Rahul Aware, Navin and Krishan — had tested Covid-positive and have recovered. Deepak, Navin and Krishan have been discharged from hospital and have returned home, while Rahul will be discharged tomorrow.

The Wrestling Federation of India is of the opinion the four can return to training after undergoing home quarantine. They have only named replacements for those who did not report for the camp, which started from September 1.

“Only Rahul Aware will be allowed to return as he cannot travel to Pune due to the Covid protocol. Others will not be allowed to join back at least till the time we work out the protocol for recovered athletes,” a source said.