Dr T Ao Trophy 2021 draws flake: Naga People’s Front questions Nagaland state government

The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has questioned the Nagaland state government for organizing Dr T Ao Trophy 2021 when many states of India are reeling under the second wave of COVID-19.

It can be noted here that the Organizing Committee of the 21st Inter-District Football Championship (Dr T Ao Trophy 2021) informed that due to the detection of COVID-19 cases among representatives from certain districts, the tournament has been kept in abeyance till further order. 12 persons taking part in the Dr T Ao Trophy in Kohima have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

The NPF, in a statement, said that Nagaland is the first Northeastern state to report 12 players as tested positive for COVID-19 at the Dr T Ao Trophy 2021, bringing the tournament to a halt.

“Now, Nagaland is again under big health threat because of the callous attitude of the government,” it said, adding, “Lives of the participants and spectators have been placed under big threat”.

The NPF questioned the government on what prompted the latter to hold “such a tournament when people are reeling under the fear of pandemic”. The opposition party further said that “elected lot at the helm of power is so insensitive and not paying enough attention to the danger of pandemic”.

The NPF then said the government should have done proper screening and mandatory testing of all the players before the tournament commenced. It added that the organiser should have also followed proper SOP. ”It is believed that some districts played without even testing,” it added.

“In fact, such a tournament should not have been hosted in such a perilous situation for which the government is paying the price now,” it also said. According to the NPF, it has cancelled the tournament but too late. The NPF further said that this has exposed the “ill-preparedness and easy-going nature” of the government.

NNN