​

England Kabaddi Association would like to update Members and Clubs on the latest Kabaddi – specific guidance following the UK government’s announcement (9th July) that indoor sports facilities and gyms can open in England from Saturday 25th July.

This news is a positive step in the right direction, but all in the Kabaddi community should be aware that there remains a long way before things return to any level of normality.

​

Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our Members – Players, Coaches, Officials, Volunteers and Staff, meaning that returning to full contact training and competition will be a gradual process and only when government regulation and advice permits us to do so.

By its very nature, given the close contact, Kabaddi poses a greater risk from COVID-19 than most other sporting activities. This reality is reflected in international advice as well as in England. We also have to recognise that some members of the Kabaddi community are more vulnerable to this virus than those in other sports.

We ask that you bear with us during these challenging times and please observe the guidelines that have been put in place for the benefit of everyone.

​

England Kabaddi Association has produced guidance notes to help indoor training to resume.

​

The key points of the document are summarised here:

​

• Indoor gyms/clubs can reopen from Saturday 25th July, subject to them not being situated in an area where a local lockdown is in place and the appropriate procedures and guidelines are put in place.

• Wherever possible, to minimise risk, training outside remains the preferred option.

• A risk assessment, for which England Kabaddi Association can provide the paperwork to members on request, must be carried out by those responsible for the running of a facility and securely kept. This will help calculate the maximum number of people inside an indoor gym at any one time and help in considering how to operate safely and minimise the risk.

• A deep clean of a facility must be carried out before reopening, as well as ongoing cleaning before, during and after activities and individual use of equipment.

• Social distancing of at least two metres must be maintained in all directions and at all times. For the avoidance of doubt, the one metre+ does not apply in gyms because of the extra risk of transmission presented by the physical exertion of training.

• Training sessions should operate at a reduced capacity – taking into account social distancing guidelines – and be staggered with, preferably, each training group remaining in the same training bubble. Facilities should contact players in advance to arrange sessions and only allow those to enter who have pre-booked to do so.

• Due to social distancing and the increased risk of exertion, face-to-face and close contact drills of any kind is not permitted. 

• Everyone attending the gym must leave their name and contact details (email, telephone number, address, session date and times) when attending each session. This is so cases of COVID-19 can be tracked and traced. The facility should then securely keep these details for 21 days before destroying them.

• Everyone participating in a session should get changed at home beforehand and return home to shower. Wherever possible, changing rooms should not be used.

• Players should bring their own water bottle and towel and not share them during a session.

• Toilet facilities should only be used on a one in, one out basis, maintaining social distancing at all times. Appropriate hand sanitiser should be provided and toilet facilities cleaned down after each use.

​

​