New Delhi: All footballers who took part in the I-League from December must be fully vaccinated except for U-18 players and those who recovered from Covid-19 infection, the CEO League Sunando Dhar said on Wednesday.
I-League 2021-22 is expected to be held under a bio-safe environment with a tight Covid-19 protocol in Kolkata and suburban suburban.
“This will be mandatory for all players and officials who take part in the I-League and I-League qualifications to have a dose of Covid-19 vaccination.
The only exception will be a player under the age of 18 and those who cannot be vaccinated because Recovery recently from infection, “said Dhar to PTI in an interview.
“Last year, double-dose vaccination was not mandatory but we made it a compulsory this time.
In that case, it’s more tighter this time,” he added.
U-18 players and those who have not received Jab because of recovery Covid-19 recently had to undergo more frequent testing during tournaments rather than vaccinated players.
“If the player who is fully vaccinated is undergoing a test every 5-6 days, they (U-18 players and new players recovered) will be tested every 3-4 days,” he said.
All players and officials are also required to stay in quarantine for six days at each hotel after arrival.
They will be tested twice for six days.
Anyone who tested positively was isolated on various hotel floors and he must have three consecutive negative test results before joining their teammates.
Dhar said it would be more challenging to manage bio-bubbles this time because of 13 teams competing with 11 years ago.
13 Tim and match officials will be installed in Bio-Bubble consisting of three hotels.
Last year, 11 I-League teams were installed in two hotels in Kolkata.
“We had last year’s experience, we were the first in this country for the tournament stage in bio bubbles.
So we already have a template to follow.” But the challenge is to meet expectations.
Moreover, there were two teams more than last year.
So, more matches and longer duration of the league.
But we hope we will do it smoothly like last year.
“He also said that only six cases of Covid-19 were reported during the I-League last year from 12500 tests conducted.
Dhar also shows that AIFF’s Covid.
-19 Management capabilities have been valued by other countries too.” I went to Kathmandu For workshops organized by all Nepalese football associations.
I was invited to make a presentation about Bio-Bubble management from AIFF so they could learn and apply in their domestic competition, “he said.
The I-League qualifications will be played in Bangalore starting October 4 among the 10 teams where one will be promoted to I- League.
Of the 10 teams, seven are new teams.
Last year, only five teams competed in the I-League qualification.
“We have put all players and officials in the hotel last time.
This time, we will use two hotels in Bangalore as bio-bubble.
“Seven teams will be in one hotel and three other teams along with match officials will occupy another hotel.
The players and match officials in the second hotel will occupy several parts.” The match will be played in front of the empty stadium.
He said there would be streaming directly from the I-League qualifying match and they even tried to broadcast live games on television.
Dhar also said that it is very unfortunate that the GrassSroot Program of the Gold Baby League and the League of other age groups must be stopped due to a pandemic.
However, all Indian Football Federation hopes to continue the program next year.
In the Indian women’s league, which was not held this season because of the second wave of pandemic, Dhar said, “It must happen in March-April next year after the AFC Asian Cup female.”