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XtraTime Web Desk: The BCCI has already issued the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for state associations on Sunday evening. In that SOP there is a age-cap of 60 years and a person who is above that age, can’t work with any cricket team due to the danger of COVID-19 pandemic. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is in a spot of bother for that reason as the age of Bengal Cricket Team Arun Lal is 65. Though the President of the state association Avishek Dalmiya  feels that it is only a temporary issue and one that shall be done away with post the COVID 19  pandemic.

Here are the points that the CAB President has said

A) Views on the SOP issued by BCCI

“The SOP prepared by the BCCI is a comprehensive document and the same needs to be carefully studied so that the protocols and measures mentioned therein could be appropriately followed.

Accordingly, we have forwarded the same to the Medical Committee members so that they could study it in details. We would thereafter, convene a meeting of the medical committee shortly to work out the steps to be taken by the Association in the coming weeks to ensure safe resumption.“

B) Views on Resumption of Activities:

“The SOP, which acts as a reference document, issued by the Indian Cricket Board mentions the following:

1) Resumption of any cricket activity shall be in compliance with Government guidelines on health, social distancing and hygiene to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.

2) Resumption of training will happen in a phased manner with progression from outdoor training activities over the next few weeks as permitted by local health authorities.

The Guidelines on unlock 3 dated 29th July 2020 issued by Government of India would also need to be studied. In addition, the Order dated 30th July 2020 issued by the State Government would be duly perused.

In view of above, Initially the steps required for commencement of physical fitness training and use of Gymnasium following due protocols would be discussed, being the activities that have been allowed by the Central and the State Governments.

C) Views with Regard to Restrictions on Individuals:

“It is presumed that the restrictions for individuals above a certain age or with underlying medical conditions mentioned in the advisory is of a temporary nature considering the current situation and taken in the interest of persons beyond a certain age for their safety.

This is because the document clearly states that all such individuals should be discouraged from participating in the camp activities until suitable guidelines are issued by the Government.

However, this may change in due course of time since in the SOP itself, it is mentioned that the guidelines may be amended from time to time as may be required depending on the existing Covid-19 situation in the country and the guidelines issued by the Government at appropriate times.“

D) Views on decisions pertaining to Support Staffs:

“Since commencement of sports activities in the state have not been allowed as yet, and also since there is a considerable amount of time left for domestic cricket to start, no decision pertaining to change of support staffs are being considered at present. However, we would keep monitoring the situation from time to time. The Coaches appointed for various teams would continue to monitor their respective teams via video conferencing, as they have been doing throughout the lockdown period.”