New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): Elite athletes housed at the National Center of Excellence (NCOE) in Patiala and Bengaluru have resumed sporting activities from Wednesday, in compliance with the guidelines issued by the government and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) released by the Sports Authority of India.

Opening of stadiums and sports complexes for athletes was among the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 17 while announcing an extension of the nationwide lockdown that is currently in place till May 31 to stem the spread of coronavirus.

NCOE Patiala currently has weightlifters, including those bound for Tokyo Olympics, and eminent athletes from athletics, many of who have already won an Olympic quota.

NCOE Bengaluru has members of the senior men's and women's hockey teams along with 10 track and field athletes. Both the hockey teams have qualified for the Olympics.

In a media statement, SAI said that all necessary safety measures of hygiene and social distancing are being maintained by athletes on the field of play.

"Equipments are being self-sanitised by athletes after use and no two athletes are allowed to use the same equipment during the sports activity.

"In Patiala and Bengaluru athletes have been given a staggered schedule for participation in sporting activities, to ensure social distancing norms. Sanitisations of hands, shoes and kits are being followed at both centers," it added.

The Bengaluru center was recently given a jolt when a cook working there died of cardiac arrest and later tested positive for COVID-19.