NEW DELHI, April 7: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday reviewed the initiatives undertaken by his ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) to keep the athletes engaged in the wake of the 21-day nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Rijiju held a meeting with regional directors of all SAI centres across the country through a video conference call and took a stock of the situation. He also deliberated upon measures needed to be taken once the lockdown is lifted.
Barring SAI South Centre, Bengaluru, where both the national men�s and women�s hockey teams are currently based and National Institute of Sports, Patiala, where a few athletes are still there, all other centres are vacant.
�The Minister held a review meeting off regional directors of all SAI centres in the presence of top SAI and Sports Ministry officials via video conference. The meeting was held to take a brief about what these centres are doing to keep the athletes morale high and keep them engaged,� a SAI official told PTI.
�The Minister also took feedbacks from SAI, Bengaluru and NIS Patiala centres on the steps they have taken to follow the lockdown guidelines in their premises as these are two centres where athletes are currently present. Athletes and coaches of all other centres have gone home,� the official added.
Rijiju also reviewed the measures taken by all SAI centres to keep the athletes motivated and engaged in this difficult times. �The Minister wanted to know from all the SAI centres how they are making maximum use of the lockdown period. Everyday, it is mandatory for all SAI athletes to connect with their coaches online so that they can monitor their training and physical fitness,� the official said. � PTI
