TTFI defies swine flu threat to hold CWG camp in Pune

New Delhi: Defying a swine flu threat, the Table Tennis Federation of India today decided to go ahead with its Commonwealth Games training camp in Pune from September 2. The federation decided to hold the 27-day special camp in Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi on the outskirts of Pune, which is the epicentre of H1N1 viral pandemic, after receiving green signal from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). "We have decided to hold the camp in Balewadi as the SAI has also replied to us in affirmative on the issue. The camp will be attended by all the core probables of 2010 Delhi Games," TTFI technical committee chairman Dhanraj Choudhary told. The federation has last week written to SAI seeking advise on whether to hold the camp in Pune. "In Balewadi, which is around 13km from the main town, there is no such issue or problem at all. The training centre is quite safe for all and we have also consulted the state association before taking the final call," Choudhary said. Pune has been hit hard by the pandemic with at least 20 people so far falling prey to the deadly H1N1 virus. Over all, the disease has claimed 88 lives in the country, including 24 in the state. Prakash Tulpule, secretary of Maharashtra Table Tennis Association, however, has advised TTFI against allowing the participants to travel public places during the camp as a precautionary measure. "The federation asked for our opinion and we have advised that no one should travel to public places, visit markets or go to cinema hall during the camp," Tulpule told PTI. "Otherwise the stadium complex where players and trainers will be staying is fully safe. And it is quite far from the main town, virtually out of the city. But nobody should take chance and go out of the venue," he added. The deadly flu had earlier forced the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to call off a Commonwealth Games camp at Balewadi, followed by the postponement of hockey nationals, scheduled for next month, in the city. "The flu condition is fast coming under control due to government measures and number of new cases are also declining in the city sharply. So I think, there will be no problem," Tulpule said. The decision to hold the camp was taken earlier this month after the rescheduling of a 22-day special coaching programme in North Korea. Olympian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal, however, will miss the camp as he is busy with a three-month training camp in Germany. Bureau Report