New Delhi, (Asian independent) Three Indian wrestlers — Deepak Punia (86kg), Navin (65kg) and Krishan (125kg) – have tested positive for Coronavirus in Sonepat, where they were in a 14-day quarantine ahead of a national camp, raising doubts about the start of the training on September 15.
But the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) insisted that the development wouldn’t have a negative impact on the national camp.
Earlier, on Thursday, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Thursday announced that the three wrestlers had tested positive. According to a source, eight men wrestlers have reached the venue so far and they all are inside their rooms, serving the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said the camp will take place as scheduled. “The camp will go on as planned. These three wrestlers will be tested again after two days and if they come negative then they will be allowed to join the camp [with precautions]. But if they are found positive again, then we will consult the doctors whether to send them back home for quarantine or admit them in hospital, depending on their conditions,” Tomar told IANS.
“I would request all the wrestlers present at the SAI centre right now to not break the protocol for your own safety. Don’t even think of roaming here and there freely. Be more alert,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indian woman wrestler Pooja Dhanda wished for the speedy recovery of the grapplers. “I just hope they recover soon and their next tests come negative, just like that of Vinesh [Phogat],” she told IANS.
All wrestlers were tested, upon arrival for the camp at the SAI Centre in Sonepat, as per the SAI SOP for resumption of sports activities. Wrestlers along with the coaches and support staff underwent mandatory RTPCR tests for COVID-19.
The wrestlers present at the camp declined to comment on whether they would continue staying there or leave the SAI Centre.
Last month, women’s camp was postponed after many wrestlers wrote to the WFI for exemption from the camp citing COVID-19 scare. Vinesh was the first one to pull out and later she tested positive, a day ahead of receiving Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country’s top sports prize.
On Wednesday, Vinesh had told IANS that her second test had come negative. “Thank God, my test came negative now, but I am not taking any chances by going out of the house right now. I am following whatever the doctors suggested to me,” she had said.