'Won’t lock myself in a room' - Arun Lal after BCCI releases SOPs for upcoming domestic season

Bengal coach Arun Lal has objected strongly objected the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the SOPs released for the senior staff for the upcoming domestic season. According to the recently released SOP for the state associations, people who are above 60 and possess comorbidity and low immunity would not be entitled to attend training camps till further government notice.

Lal, who is a cancer survivor will not be able to remain in the training field as per the SOPs. The SOPs though has been put into place strictly keeping the Covid-19 situation in mind. Cricket came to a halt in India after the cancellation of the ODI series against South Africa back in March.

The Prime Minister is 69 and he’s running the country in these times: Arun Lal

Lal, during an interview, cited PM Narendra Modi’s example, saying that he at 69 is driving the country strongly during this pandemic.”The Prime Minister is 69 and he’s running the country in these times. Are they telling him to step down?” the Bengal coach asked.

The former Bengal captain might find it difficult to attend the camps if the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) follows the SOPs. He, however, insisted that one SOP can’t dictate him the terms of living his life.

“Me as a person, whether I coach Bengal or not is immaterial but I will live my life. Don’t expect me that I’m 65 years old, so I will lock myself in a room for the next 30 years. This does not happen like this,” the former captain was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times.

The Bengal coach is believed to be strongly satisfied with his health. He said he possesses a good fitness level now and is not worried about anything. “I’m very fit and strong. In fact, I’ve never been this fitter in my life. I’m not at all worried,” Lal, who overcame an adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare type of salivary glands cancer four years back, mentioned.

BCCI’s SOP might be temporary, says hopeful CAB chief

CAB president Avishek Dalmiya hoped that BCCI’s SOP might be temporary and could be amended later on. “It is presumed that the restrictions for individuals above a certain age or with underlying medical conditions mentioned in the advisory are of a temporary nature considering the current situation and taken in the interest of persons beyond a certain age for their safety,” Dalmiya said.

“This is because the document clearly states that all such individuals should be discouraged from participating in the camp activities until suitable guidelines are issued by the Government,” he believed.