High-altitude training camps unlikely, again

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 17

For the second consecutive year, the UT Sports Department will not be able to conduct high-altitude training camps for trainees of state-run academies.

For over one year, all three state-run academies - football, cricket (for boys) and hockey (boys & girls) - have been shut owing to Covid-19 restrictions. The fresh batch in all these academies is also yet to be inducted.

The department organises one-month-long high-altitude training camps in Himachal Pradesh (SAI Centre, Shillaroo), starting first week of June every year, for which planning starts in May, to improve fitness of these players.

“These camps are unlikely to happen considering the current situation. Amid lockdown restrictions, no players in academies and no practise sessions, the focus is on safeguarding the players. Even if players are called back to the academy in June, they would take at least three months to settle down. Till the time, it (camp) will be of no use,” said a senior official.

Perhaps, it’s for the second time, in the past two decades, that this camp will not be organised.

In 2019, a total of 102 trainees participated in the camp, organised by the Chandigarh Sports Council.

“The trainees were sent back to their respective hometown in March 2020. The senior group has already been passed out without playing any tourneys during last year. It has been a complete loss for players. We really can’t do anything. Putting a bio-bubble is a difficult task,” said an official.

“Practicing at such high altitude helps players in enhancing their physiological fitness. It improves oxygen intake, lungs, ventilation and anaerobic capacities. This camp has been instrumental in augmenting their physical fitness in terms of strength, endurance and speed development. This is the only government academy of the region to provide such facilities to its trainees,” said a coach.

Meanwhile, a minimum 15-day programme, which is called a sports wing, wherein selected players get diet and training under professional coaches, is also likely to be delayed or even cancelled. “The championships under the annual sports calendar are yet to be started. The sports wing will be only possible once the school opens for players or players start coming to the coaching centre to prepare for tournaments,” said the official.