A total of 18 states, including Bengal, made it clear to Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday that no sporting events could be organised till October because of the spread of Covid-19.
Rijiju held a videoconference with the sports ministers of the 18 states to know whether sporting events could be held in the coming months even in empty stadia, sources said. Bengal youth affairs and sports minister Aroop Biswas attended the meeting.
“All states made it clear that they were not in a position to allow sporting events even in empty stadium till October as Covid-19 cases were increasing with each passing day. The states also said they couldn’t provide any kind of support in organising sporting events right at the moment,” said a source.
Bengal has taken the stance, senior bureaucrats said, as the entire administration was busy in arresting the spread of the coronavirus.
“Even if sporting events are held without spectators, the administration has to arrange for security and health-related infrastructure for the players. But the state cannot provide any such support right at this moment,” said another source.
According to the sources, Rijiju was perhaps trying to know whether the states would be able to extend required assistance if sporting events were held after September this year.
“There are talks that the IPL could be held in October-November if the ICC T20 World Cup is suspended. Moreover, major sporting events like the Indian Super League or the I-League are also likely to be held in October-November. Preparations for all these tournaments could start only after the Centre gives its nod. So, the Union minister was perhaps testing the water,” said an official.
Majority of the states informed Rijiju that a number of sporting arenas had been converted into temporary Covid-19 hospitals, quarantine centres or isolation centres.
“Like a portion of the Eden Gardens has been converted into an isolation centre for policemen who would test positive for Covid-19. Another sporting arena, Salt Lake stadium, has been kept on standby for converting it into a Safe House for the mild symptomatic patients,” said a source.
