Putting athletes, coaches, support staff for Olympics in priority group for vaccination: Parliamentary panel

A parliamentary standing committee on Thursday has recommended putting athletes as well as coaches and support staff going for the Olympics, to be held in Japan next year, in the priority group for the vaccination process.

Sports Journalist Vijay Lokapally, who is a member of the panel, said the government need to ensure COVID-19 vaccination for all Tokyo-bound athletes as a first priority.

Another major area which the countries overlook is the mental health of sportsmen, he said and suggested employing psychologists to prepare and help the athletes who are in bio-bubble, increasing dope testing to ensure that the sportsmen get enough competitions before they go to the Olympics and best coaches to train under-16 players.

Sports injury insurance schemes should be put in place for sportspersons, through a collaborative framework by the central and state governments, the panel said, adding the insurance schemes should be tailored according to the needs of each sports discipline, state, and cover players from different categories.

For the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had signed up with a sports management firm and a huge amount as sponsorship was raised from the private and corporate sector.

However, due to COVID, many NSFs have lost their sponsors this time. It is suggested that IOA should sign up with a sponsorship management firm on an immediate basis for this edition of the Olympics as well, and try to rope in the private sector for funds, the panel stated.

It also emphasised on gender sensitisation for all male athletes and coaches to prevent incidences of sexist behaviour and sexual harassment.

All schemes and incentives designed for the athletes should be gender-neutral. Women should be encouraged to participate in as many sporting events as possible so that at least 50 per cent of the Olympic contingent consists of women in the near future, the panel said.

The Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed last year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, is slated to be held in July next year.