“I am happy that the stadiums
are open and that athletes will get to train again properly for any
competitions this year or preparations for the Tokyo Olympics,” World
Championships silver medallist Anjum said.
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Kolkata:
Ace rifle shooter Anjum Moudgil believes athletes will not be scared
of returning to practice after the Sports Ministry gave its go ahead to the
resumption of training in all sports complexes and stadia earlier in the week.
The COVID-19 pandemic had brought the sporting world to a standstill
with almost all events across the globe getting cancelled or postponed,
including the Tokyo Olympics.
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has also cancelled
all its tournaments this year.
India has been under lockdown since March 25 to combat the menace of
the deadly virus but as it entered the fourth phase, the government decided to
ease restrictions and among them were re-opening of sports complexes and
stadia.
“I am happy that the stadiums
are open and that athletes will get to train again properly for any
competitions this year or preparations for the Tokyo Olympics,” World
Championships silver medallist Anjum told IANS on Wednesday.
Anjum has been recommended for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the
country’s highest sporting honour. The first Indian athlete to make the cut for
the Olympics by winning a silver medal in 10m air rifle at the 2018 World
Championships in Changwon, Anjum said all the decision to re-open sports
complexes and stadia will help athletes get back in shape.
“All the athletes will now be
in good shape before playing any tournament domestically or international,”
said the 26-year old who is good at both 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3-position
categories.
Around the world, the German Bundesliga football league has resumed
without spectators while Spanish LaLiga and the English Premier League is
planning a June return. But as many as six tested positive for coronavirus
across three Premier League clubs.
Asked if there will be fear among athletes as they resume training
amid the pandemic, Anjum said: “No, I think if all the athletes will follow the
proper protocols of wearing masks and using sanitiser or maintaining social
distance there will be no fear in returning to the stadiums for training.”
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