The Sports Ministry has issued Standard Operating Procedures, SOP for conduct of sporting events in the country.The SOP said that a COVID task force shall be constituted for each sporting competition by the organizing committee to guide and monitor all athletes and Athlete Support Personnel. This task force will be responsible for overall implementation of protocols outlined in this SOP and other directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time. In its circular, Sports Ministry said, the guidelines were formulated in consultation with all the stakeholders and the competitions should be conducted strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. For outdoor events, spectators will be allowed upto a maximum of 50 per cent of the total capacity of the stadium. The Ministry said CCTV monitoring may be planned for larger events to detect overcrowding at entry and exit gates and seating arena. Appropriate arrangements for personal protection devices like face covers, masks, face shields, PPEs, heavy duty gloves and other logistics like hand sanitizers, soap, shall be made available by the organizing committee.