'Never break COVID protocol': Kiren Rijiju advises as Olympic-bound shooting team leaves for C'ship, training to Croatia

New Delhi, May 12: Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju advised the Indian athletes to never break Covid-19 protocols of other countries. Rijiju's remarks came as the Indian shooting contingent departed for Croatia on Tuesday.

 

"Safe journey! Never break the Covid-19 protocols of other countries. Focus on training, take care, and stay safe. Will provide all necessary support to our athletes and the coaches. All the best" tweeted Rijiju.

 

A 13-member Indian shooting team took off for Croatian capital Zagreb, where it will undergo a training camp before leaving for Osijek to take part in the European Championships (May 20 to June 6). Following this, there will be combined ISSF World Cup (June 22 to July 3). Soon after this, the team will be directly departing for Tokyo Olympics.

 

 

 

Besides, the comment from Rijiju comes days after Indian Super League (ISL) club Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal had to apologise to the AFC after three of the Blues' members allegedly "breached" the COVID-19 protocols in the Maldives.

 

 

Bengaluru FC had arrived in the Maldives on Friday ahead of their 2021 AFC Cup playoff clash. Maldives' Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof asked Bengaluru FC to leave the country following the "unacceptable behaviour" after reports emerged that three players from the Sunil Chhetri-led club flouted COVID-19 norms.