Players adopting new condition: AATA secretary Ankush Dutta

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Tennis Association (AATA) became the first sports association in the State to start the training after lockdown was imposed in March. In an interaction with The Sentinel, the secretary of the AATA Ankush Dutta said the situation is little different from the normal condition but players are adopting it quickly. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): AATA is the first organization to start training in post COVID-19 lockdown. Share your experience.

Ankush: It's going according to the plan. Recently national level players were allowed to start training. We received Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from the All India Tennis Association in this regard and also following the guidelines of the government.

TS: Are you facing any trouble to adjust the new condition?

Ankush: Obviously the situation is little bit different now. Earlier players arrive at the court, do their practice and return home. But now we have to monitor them once they arrive in the campus and it continues until they leave for their home. However good thing is that the players are adopting the new condition quickly.

TS: What are the mandatory rules that players are following during their stay at the campus?

Ankush: There are several rules which a player and coach have to follow during their stay at our campus. Thermal screening and sanitization of hand are mandatory once player and coach arrive. All have to use mask during their stay at the campus however mask is not allowed during the practice. Players must use their own racquet and we are even giving separate balls to the players with marking. It was also instructed the players that if ball goes to the other courts they should not touch it. The balls should be returned either kicking or by pushing it through racquet.

TS: What about the training of other players spreading across the state!

Ankush: We have already prepared SOP for them and are waiting for the next announcement on lock down. If the restriction is relaxed we will send it to our different units. They too have to follow all the guide lines that are imposed by the government and AITA.

TS: Will lockdown make any impact on the schedule of your domestic calendar?

Ankush: Our domestic calendar will not be hampered because it starts in November and continues till March. But AITF championship series and OIL AITF Super Series Tennis tournament, which are supposed to be held during next two months, are postponed. On the other hand one of our promising players Jigyashman Hazarika missed to play the Rode to Wimbledon this time because of lockdown.