Curbs return, indoor halls to be closed

The city indoor halls will be closed once again as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Saturday decided to clamp fresh curbs in the city from June 28 under the "level 3" of unlocking amid concerns over the Delta Plus variant of coronavirus.

As per notification, the outdoor sports are allowed from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.However, the indoor halls will remained closed completely

The frequent closure of the halls has irked the sportspersons who are involved in indoor sports. In last two and half years, this is for the third time that indoor halls will be closed. In 'Break the Chain' initiative of the state government the halls were re-opned on June 14 after around two months and the players especially badminton resumed their daily practice with enthusiasm. But today they are disappointed as barely after a fortnight they will miss their practice.

Shiv Chhatrapati awadee Piyush Ambulkar has slammed the decision of the state government.

He said, "We are not blaming the NMC because they are following the state government's directive. The government is allowing the restaurants and bars to function but not the indoor halls. During Corona period the sports help people to make their immune system strong. But it seems that the government is not bothered about sportspersons as well as coaches".

He also threatened that the sportspersons and coaches will come to the street if this directive is not taken back.

A badminton coach Anant Apte is also furious over state government's decision. " It is a shame that the government close sports activities and at the same time expects medals from the sportspersons. If this continues one day the kids in the country will become most incompetent in the world".

One amateur badminton player said, " I daily play badminton for fitness but how can I will be able to maintain my fitness level if government close the indoor halls frequently".

A parent of a national-level badminton player said, " Why the government doesn't understand that players are physically fit and they are not virus carriers. There is no harm in allowing them to practice