Bhubaneswar, June 2 (IANS): Odisha's Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS) on Tuesday issued the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for getting its hostels and facilities ready for athletes. They, however, stated training will resume only in a planned manner and by following all necessary government protocols.

"DSYS shall offer a training environment with best possible protection against infection. The precautionary measures and protocols mentioned in the issued SOP are based on best practices being adopted across the sector," the DSYS said in their statement.

"The SOP applies to all DSYS training centers, sports hostels and sports facilities across Odisha wherein athletes may undertake training. Resumption of training shall be allowed in a planned and phased manner as per government guidelines."

All sport in the country has been suspended since March in the wake of coronavirus pandemic as the government had imposed nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.

With lockdown slowly and steadily being relaxed in parts of the country, athletes are expected to get back to training as well.

Odisha sports minister Tusharkanti Behera said safety of everyone is paramount for them and they will ensure all necessary government guidelines will be followed.

"Since the health and well-being of our sportspersons are paramount we will be taking planned and phased measures, in accordance with central guidelines to reopen the sports sector," Behera was quoted as saying in the statement.

"We will be taking utmost care to ensure the resumption of sports and recreation activities without compromising the health of individuals or the community."