Sports in Pandemic | Large gatherings a concern for Sports Council

J&K State Sports Council has voiced its concern over presence of large gatherings during sports events in Kashmir amid the COVID19 pandemic.

“In Red Zones no activity is allowed while in Orange and Green zones activity without spectators can be held. Despite being allowed to conduct activity in all zones apart from Red we have not started any activity yet. We are taking extreme caution amid a spike of COVID-19 cases in J&K. Sports can wait but there is a need for us to stop helping virus to spread,” said Secretary J&K State Sports Council Dr Naseem Javaid Chowdhary.

   

He said the Sports Council is concerned over the increase of sports events across J&K in which all rules of social distancing are being violated.

“It is not as secretary I am speaking, it is as an individual I am speaking that we are helping the virus to spread. As a sportsperson and commoner we should desist from taking part in such gatherings. During these local events all social distancing rules are being violated,” he said.

He said that concerned District Administration needs to keep an eye on the local events being held in their districts.

“We have no control over local events and it is the responsibility of the respective District Administration to keep eye on these events,” Dr Naseem added.

During the Unlock-2, the sports activities are not allowed in Red Zones while in Green and Orange Zones it is allowed without spectators.

Despite a total ban on sports activities in Red Zones, there has been increase in the conduct of activities.

While in South Kashmir, Cricket and Volleyball activities have picked up, North Kashmir is witnessing number of cricket and football events. Budgam and Srinagar districts have also witnessed an increase in the number of cricket, cycling and volleyball events, apart from local training sessions of martial art and other related sports. All the events in South, North or Central Kashmir have witnessed huge gatherings of spectators.

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