Allow us to sell Sports equipment for at least 4 hrs: shop owners
   Date :16-May-2020

harsha varma mukesh thada
 
 
 
By Paritosh Pramanik ;
 
AFTER government’s relaxation order pertaining to start business of non-essential commodities in the city, sports shop owners also want to re-start their business. It has been more than 50 days since the lockdown was imposed sports shops, along with others, are shut. From Thursday, several shops were allowed to operate, albeit with stringent guidelines, in the city. The lockdown, which was first enforced on March 24, has been extended twice — on April 14 and May 4.
 
The third phase will end on May 17. To bring back normalcy, civic authorities permitted businesses in non-containment zones with restrictions. Taking this as a positive move, sports shop owners feel they too should be allowed to lift their shutters. They are ready to follow all rules put up by the authorities. If not all products, some of the sports shop owners are of the view that they should be allowed to sell at least carrom boards, chess boards and gym equipment. With city’s gymnasiums and fitness centres completely shut, shop owners are receiving phone calls from fitness enthusiasts daily.
 
“They want dumbbells and other light weights so that they can train at their homes to stay fit. Some parents want carrom boards, chess boards and other indoor items,” said Harsh Varma of India Sports, which is situated at Laxmi Nagar. “If you want to keep the families at home, they should be able to play indoor and in-house sports like carrom, chess, even badminton which does not need a big gathering. “I am getting at least 20-25 calls from customers for carrom boards, chess boards, badminton racquets and table tennis bats. But I can’t open my shop,” said Varma. “If not daily, allow us to open our shops on alternate days or for 4-5 hours daily,” requested Varma. Mukesh Thadani of Amar Sports, Sitabuldi, said they are ready to follow all guidelines. “We are ready to follow all the guidelines. Maintaining social distancing, using masks and all other guidelines will be strictly followed,” he promised.
 
“I have written to Municipal Commissioner (Tukaram Mundhe) regarding relaxation to open the sports shops but I am yet to get any reply. “Sports and fitness are the most important parts of everyone life as they boost immunity which is required to fight COVID-19,” he stated. “If you want to increase immunity, you have to do workouts.
 
I am also receiving several phone calls for gym equipment but due to lockdown we can’t deliver them the weight equipment,” rued Thadani. Thadani said they will strictly follow guidelines of social distancing. “We have already planned for proper sanitization of all our products in shops as well as godowns. We will also mark circles outside as well as inside our shops for customers and our staff. “We had started handwash and sanitizations even before the lockdown was imposed after we came to know about the pandemic. We will also be having a provision of thermal checking of all our customers as well as our staff,” claimed Thadani. Ritesh Arora of Lakshmi Sports, Sadar, too, felt it’s time civic body permits to start their business. “Unlike other non-essential item shops, we are running the most essential business.
 
We are in a business of sports which is one of the most important one to keep citizens fit. We not only sell outdoor sports equipment but also indoor products which are used for fitness and leisure,” said Arora. Arora, whose shop is more than 70 years old, said it’s not only about business but also about the salaries of the staff. “Since last two months we are paying salaries of our staff. But now it is getting a bit difficult. We request the authorities to at least allow us to do business for 4-5 hours daily or on alternate days. We are receiving calls from around 25-30 customers daily for gym and other equipment,” said Arora. “There is a demand from customers for treadmills, skipping ropes weights and other equipment. I have assured them that once we are allowed to lift our shutters we will deliver them their equipment at home,” concluded Arora.