No July 19 resumption of hockey camps as Bengaluru goes into lockdown

national camps for Indian men's and women's hockey teams will t resume as planned on July 19 at Bengaluru SAI Centre with rising COVID-19 case count forcing city into a complete seven-day lockdown. grave situation in sourn metropolis has left Sports Authority of India (SAI) with choice but to defer its plans. Enjoying a break at ir respective native places after being confined to ir rooms at SAI Centre for two months due to nationwide lockdown, players h been expected to return to base by July 19.

July 19 resumption

A SAI source in Bengaluru, however, confirmed to PTI that re is way national camps can resume on earlier earmarked date under current circumstances.

"We didn't get any such instruction till w about resumption of hockey camps. On June 18, we were just being asked to allow players to leave for ir homes but intimation has been given to us on resumption of camps," source said.

"Frankly speaking, it is impossible to resume camps w because Bengaluru is under complete lockdown till July 22. cases are increasing everyday and re is a possibility that lockdown would be extended till end of this month."

Although SAI hequarters here is yet to take a formal decision on matter, Hockey India's de-recognition by Sports Ministry, along with 53 or National Sports Federations (NSFs), as per Delhi High Court's order, has me situation complex. "We can't make any comment on national camps or anything as we are de-recognised by ministry w," a HI official said. A national team player too confirmed that y are yet to get any intimation from eir HI or SAI about resumption of camps.

"We haven't heard anything from anyone about resumption of camps. We were told that we will be intimated about resumption of camps and also inform about our travel arrangements, but we haven't got anything," player said.

"Like all, we too are living in uncertainty and are just hoping that things become rmal soon."

Only men's team chief coach Graham Reid and men and women teams' scientific visors, Robin Arkell and Wayne Lombard, are currently staying at SAI Centre in Bengaluru. It has been learnt that women's team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne and analytical coach Janneke Schopman, both of whom flew to ir homes in Nerlands last month, have deferred ir travel plans and are expected to arrive here next month. Men's team analytical coach Chris Ciriello, too, has gone back to his home in Australia.

Im credits: PTI / Hockey India