A doctor attached to the India Boxing Team for the training camp at Patiala has tested positive for COVID-19 infection.
There is, however, a huge respite. The reports of all the boxers have returned negative. However, a threat of cancellation now looms large on the camp. The boxers will have to undergo another test now.
Asian Games champion Amit Phangal is among the 11 campers.
“Dr Amol (Patil) was in quarantine in a centre outside the main campus of national Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala. As per protocol, before he is allowed to enter main hostel and sports arena, he was given the COVID test on the 7th day (of quarantine) and tested positive,” the Sports Authority of India has confirmed to national news agency PTI.
“He has been shifted to the state-run COVID centre. Those who are identified as primary contact will be tested tomorrow. The quarantine period for all persons staying in the same quarantine facility has been extended by one week. The centre has been sterilised as per protocol.”
Dr Patil, who has been a regular with the national boxing team, is completely asymptomatic and expected to recover soon.
Training at the camp, which was organised following the SAI nod, were to start by the end of July or in the first week of August.
Since the Boxing Federation of India is among the 57 national sports federations suspended under the Delhi High Court order, the camp was organised under the SAI.
Nine Indian boxers have qualified for the Olympics, postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. They are — Amit Panghal (52kg), Manish Kaushik (63kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg), MC Mary Kom (51kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), and Pooja Rani (75kg).