MARGAO
Cricket and other tournaments played under lights have come under the scanner of the South Goa district authorities, but for a different reason.
With tournaments on the rise in the election season, the district authorities seemed to have taken serious cognizance of the huge gathering of people at these events and violation of the COVID-19 safety norms.
In fact, Additional district Collector, South Surendra Naik has issued directions to all the Deputy Collectors in the district to maintain a strict vigil on the organization of cricket and other tournaments and book those found violating the COVID-19 safety norms.
In a memorandum, the Additional District Magistrate pointed out that it has been brought to the notice of the administration that some cricket and other tournaments are being organized late in the night under floodlights in various towns of South Goa District, with huge gatherings without following the SOP on precautionary measures to be adopted for preventing the spread of COVID-19 diseases, such as wearing of a mask, maintaining of social distancing.
“In view of the above all the Deputy Collectors & SDMs coming under the South Goa District are hereby directed to keep a strict vigil on such cricket and other tournaments and book those found violating Covid-19 safety norms,” the memorandum stated.
That’s not all. The district authorities have asked the deputy collectors to submit the report on the fines imposed and challan issued for the violation of Covid-19 safety norms to the office of the Additional District Magistrate before 4 pm every day.
Sources in the know told The Goan that the Deputy Collectors and Mamlatdars have decided to request the flying squads and other officials to ensure that these late night tournaments do not become venues for violation of the COVID-19 safety norms.
