As the world of sport has come to a grinding halt because of the Covid-19 crisis, closer home the various training centres and academies are feeling the pinch.

Irrespective of discipline, they are now only focused on keeping their establishments alive and keeping the trainees motivated.

The number of trainees attending sessions in sports academies had begun to dwindle drastically as the scare started. And, naturally, with the nationwide lockdown on till April 14, the courts, pitches and ranges are deserted.

Former national selector Sambaran Banerjee, who is at the helm of the Mainland Sambaran Cricket Academy, is worried. “We had to stop our U-14 tournament, which had run for 20 continuous years. The health of the kids is of primary importance,” he told The Telegraph.

“With no end to the crisis in sight, I really don’t expect my trainees to come back soon. There will be a huge financial strain. I have to pay salaries to my coaches and other staff. I must. With the lockdown, it is difficult to even maintain the ground.”

Olympian shooter Joydeep Karmakar, who runs three academies in the state, echoed Banerjee’s concerns.

“I have two concerns, one is to keep my trainees motivated and then there is the financial aspect. Whatever happens, I have to pay my coaches and trainers. So if students can’t come, I have to dig into my very limited resources so that my staff don’t suffer.”

Karmakar has no sponsors for his academies. “I really hope the government takes some interest in private academies like mine. After all, we produce players who bring glory to the state and country. Look at someone like Mehuli Ghosh. She is at present perhaps the best sportsperson of Bengal,” he said.

Former national golf champion and coach Indrajit Bhalotia has been conducting coaching camps for years, taking the sport to the masses, beyond the boundaries of the elite golf clubs. He now runs a camp at Tollygunje Club.

“My turnover right now is zero. I have fixed costs like salaries for more than 30 people and rent for the premises. The biggest issue for people like us who run private academies is funds. I may be forced to make a pay cut,” he said.

Yesteryear tennis icon Jaidip Mukerjea is trying to stay as positive as possible. The septuagenarian runs his tennis academy in Salt Lake and is keeping a track of proceedings even though he has not been able to go there.

“We are following all rules. We can’t take any risk. Yes it will be very tough, but I believe in staying positive.”

Enrico Piperno, former tennis national champion and coach, runs an academy in association with the Ordnance Club. “The way things are going right now, April and May are pretty much out. The situation is very, very tough.”