MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is working on an extensive plan to ensure its players return to training as and when the country-wide lockdown ends.
For starters. the The BCCI has decided to set up an “isolation camp” for the players so as to gradually resume cricket amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The board is searching for a place that does not come under any containment zone so that team members, senior staff could get back to field and practice after a two-month gap, Times of India reports.
According to the report, the BCCI is looking for such venues that would be deemed ‘safe’ by the Central government.
“The safety of the players is the board’s priority. We will have to work on the logistics and see if Bengaluru is safe enough. If things don’t look absolutely fine, then we will look for areas in the country which fall outside the containment zones. The camp will be sanitised. And there is also an option of opening up local stadiums to senior players,” a BCCI official told TOI.
“The players, team management, and the cricket operations team are constantly in touch to deal with every issue,” the official added.
The report added that the BCCI has asked the general staff and players to follow health prerequisites and to not venture out of the campus area. However, to set everything the association requires another month and it also depends on the Centre’s approval on the same.
“There are a lot of logistical issues. BCCI needs government directions and will adhere to it. The flights schedule and freedom of movement will have to be taken into account. The medical team is also in the loop,” the official said.
“For now, we have a roadmap in place for the players. We will work out a plan for the future depending on what the relaxations are. The coaches and the support staff are in touch with the players. Given what are the norms, we will figure out about how to go ahead,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told Sportstar.
“The coaching staff is now working with the players on how to keep them physically and mentally fit. Post lockdown, whatever possible, we will focus on the skill-based training,” Dhumal said.
