Indian hockey camp to begin next week

BENGALURU: After a six-week break, the Indian men and women hockey campers will return to the Sports Authority of India, South Centre, on August 4. The players have been asked to report at SAI for the camp which runs until September 30.
According to a SAI communication, 33 men probables and eight coaches and support staff have been asked to report at the centre. The strength of the women's camp is 31, which includes 24 players.
The players and support staff, who will arrive from various parts of the country and abroad, will undergo a two-week quarantine inside the campus before resuming training.
After being in the camp for nearly four months, the players headed to their hometowns on June 19 for a four-week break. The surge in Covid-19 cases in the city led to a delay in the resumption of the camp.
On arrival, the players will undergo rapid antigen tests and will be quarantined according to the rules of the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare department which includes 14 days home quarantine. They will be tested again after the quarantine period.
In a communication to the players and staff, SAI said, "The athletes, coaches and support staff joining SAI, Bengaluru, will have to adhere to the guidelines of Government of India, the state and the guidelines of local bodies with regard to Covid-19. On arrival in Bengaluru, everyone will be tested for Covid-19. The athletes should undergo strict quarantine protocol and the testing schedule laid out by SAI SOP."
At the SAI campus, preparations are under way to welcome back the players. A few athletes who were at the national campers' hostel have been moved to the old hostels. The men and women hostels are being cleaned and sanitised.
The players will be confined to single occupancy rooms during the two weeks. According to the state government norms, the players will have to upload their temperature on a prescribed app. They will be tested again after the quarantine period.
SAI will arrange delivery of food and other essential supplies to the players' rooms with those delivering them wearing protective gears. Each room will be equipped with basic cleaning kits and the players will have to clean the rooms themselves. The area around both the hostels will be cordoned off and access will be limited to authorised persons only.
In the event of anyone testing positive, an isolation zone too has been identified.
Given SAI's experience with three boxers who flouted rules at the Patiala campus, strong checks and measures have been put in place. Action will be taken against any player found breaking the quarantine rules.
Meanwhile, women's team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne and analytical coach Janneke Schopman, who travelled home to Netherlands in June, are expected to return on Saturday.