National federation optimistic of Apurvi joining team despite testing positive for Covid-19

Apurvi Chandela had tested positive for Covid-19 before her trip to Zagreb to join with the Olympic shooting team.

Apurvi Chandela in her new kit at home in Jaipur.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) was optimistic of Apurvi Chandela joining the Olympic shooting team for the trip to Zagreb, despite having returned a positive test for covid-19.

"Apurvi had got her vaccination done on April 28. Her father has said that she would seek an RT-PCR test on May 8, and join the team," said the secretary of NRAI, Rajeev Bhatia.

"I am trying to recover as fast as possible," said Apurvi from her home in Jaipur.

With the immunity system being affected after the first dose of the vaccine, there is a vulnerable period for the vaccinated till they get the second dose of vaccination done.

Apurvi’s coach Rakesh Manpat said that he had himself recovered from a severe bout of covid-19 in Bengaluru, and was ready to join Apurvi for the training-cum-competition trip to Europe, once she returned a negative test.

"Our passports have been submitted for the visa," clarified Rakesh.

Considering the unstable situation owing to the escalation of the pandemic in India, the NRAI has planned to have a training camp in Zagreb, Croatia, for the Olympics bound shooters. The Indian team will compete in the European championships from May 20. Thereafter, the shooters will be based in Croatia for further training, before they fly to Tokyo for the Olympics.

After looking at various options, the NRAI viewed this as the best possible preparation plan for the world beating Indian shooting team, and the government readily agreed. As part of the plan, the NRAI has also arranged for a chartered flight to carry the team, along with the coaches and support staff, to circumvent the problem of commercial flights not being allowed to carry Indian passengers owing to travel restrictions proposed by a few countries.