The state government has prepared to host the Odisha Open 2022, the inaugural edition of a BWF international badminton tournament that will see more than 300 players from 18 countries compete for top honours.
The Odisha Open 2022 is a BWF Super 100 tournament and no spectators will be allowed to attend the events which will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack from January 25-30.
Odisha Sports Minister TK Behera said COVID guidelines and standards set by the state government and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will be strictly followed at the tournament.
Our collective efforts are aimed at ensuring a safe and secure global environment for players to participate in their respective games, Behera said.
The Department of Sports and Youth Services is working closely with the Badminton Association of India and the Odisha State Badminton Association to ensure that the tournament is up to BWF standards and runs smoothly with the highest priority for player safety.
“The COVID protocol has been clearly defined. We look forward to welcoming all players and officials and wish them a wonderful stay in Odisha and good luck with their event,” he said.
In accordance with the protocol established by the government and the BWF, the RT-PCR test is mandatory for all players and officials and they must arrive by January 23 to participate in the event.
Players must also bring their negative RT-PCR reports (72 hours) upon arrival as well as their vaccination certificate. No player will be allowed to enter the venue (event and practice) without a prior negative RT-PCR report as per BWF standards, Behera said.
Random tests will also be carried out for officials and players not staying in official hotels, he said.
The Odisha State Badminton Association has been asked to inform players of these guidelines and teams from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the capital city hospital, as well as a dedicated team from the sports department of state, will be deployed to test players and officials.
The venue has undergone minor upgrades and upgrades tailored to the event and the district administration and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation are working to ensure Silver Town is ready for it. PTI AAM KK
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