26 athletes, including men's boxing chief coach, test positive for COVID-19 at NIS Patiala; none Tokyo-bound

New Delhi, March 31: In what could be termed as a massive jolt to the administration's effort to bring the sporting fraternity on track even as the country tries to combat the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, around twenty-six sportspersons and support staff across disciplines were found to be COVID-19 positive at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala.

Around 380 campers were subjected to tests for the dreaded disease at NIS Patiala, a Sports Authority of India source told PTI on Wednesday (March 31). However, the 26 positive results do not include any Tokyo Olympic-bound athlete.

India's men's boxing chief coach CA Kuttappa and shot put coach Mohinder Singh Dhillon are among those who have tested positive for the virus in the recent drive, the SAI source confirmed.

"Around 380 athletes at the NIS Patiala were tested for COVID recently. The tests were conducted across the board and were not random," the SAI source told PTI. It is learnt that 10 of the 26 positive cases are from the track and field group training at the institute.

"Out of 380, 26 athletes have tested positive for the virus but the good thing is that they are not Olympic-bound athletes. The positive athletes have been isolated and the entire campus has been sanitised."

However, all weightlifters housed at the premier sports institute have returned negative for the virus. The NIS Patiala is primarily the base of Olympic-bound boxers, track and field athletes and weightlifters along with sportspersons from some other disciplines. The boxers who have tested positive include Asian silver-medallist Deepak Kumar and India Open gold-medallist Sanjit.

"Some more test results are awaited at this point. The cases in boxing are seven as of now," another source stated.

Meanwhile, the upcoming 11th junior women's hockey nationals have been postponed until further notice due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. The tournament was scheduled to be held from April 3 to 12 in Simdega, Jharkhand. Following instructions and protocols from the district commissioner, Simdega and state authorities, the decision to postpone the championship was taken by Hockey India.

(With PTI inputs)