CITY’S Shubham Kushwaha, Assistant Managing Director of Indian Friends Football Club (IFFC), received a diploma from Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), world soccer governing body, recently. Kushwaha, who plays as a goalkeeper with IFFC, successfully completed the Diploma Module created by FIFA for Hygiene Implementation Officer. He is probably the first city footballer to complete the course.

 

“The course consisted of 16 module enlisted as Introduction, context of COVID and impact on football, symptoms, Roles of Hygiene Implementation Officer, prevention of transmission, wearing of mask, development of operations, ground operation, match participants zone, match operation, media and broadcast, workforce, ground transportation, additional consideration etc.,” Kushwaha told ‘The Hitavada’. Football has many health benefits, including benefits for mental health and the immune system, whether it is safe to resume playing. New procedures are needed to reduce the risks of contracting the virus. With local authorities permitting training for team sports, the role of Hygiene Implementation Officer will be very important.

 

Hygiene Implementation Officer will have to ensure that hygiene measures set out by relevant local authorities must be implemented while practising football or organising a tournament. According to FIFA, to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, physical distancing, washing hands frequently, using hand sanitisers, avoiding touching the eyes, mouth or nose, avoiding sharing water bottles, avoiding handshakes, high fives and other personal contact, wearing a mask when required will have to be monitored strictly. Kushwaha, if appointed by the tournament organisers, will now have to implement these measures in his area of responsibility and ensure that any breach of operational protocols is rectified immediately.