ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) announced on Tuesday to reopen the sports facilities in phases with activities to start in squash, tennis, badminton while jogging tracks will also be reopened from Thursday.

The PSB had closed down the sports facilities on March 15 due to Covid-19 and now after a gap of almost five months, it has decided to reopen them in phases.

“Today, Federal Minister IPC directed for reopening of four sports activities under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to avoid spread of Covid-19,” said Azam Dar, spokesperson of PSB.

He said that coaching centres of PSB in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar have also been asked to reopen the sports facilities under strict SOPs. “In the first phase, we are going to reopen facilities four low risk sports. Later on, we will allow opening of other sports such as football, kabaddi, gymnastics and swimming,” he said.

Sharing the details of SOPs, the spokesperson said that sharing of equipments would be strictly prohibited including water bottles and cups. He added that it will be the responsibility of the sportsmen/concerned and the sports organizers to ensure thorough disinfection and cleaning between the sessions and afterwards.

“All players and members are bound to maintain physical distance,” Azam said. “All players would also ensure wearing face masks and strictly observe the SOPs.”

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2020