World hockey hopes that that trans-continental competition will return to normal once a vaccine to combat the coronavirus pandemic is in place.
The FIH issued a set of guidelines on Tuesday to support continental federations, national associations and clubs after several nations started to allow training in a safe environment.
Announcing a hopeful route back to “something resembling normality,” the FIH has produced a five-stage process for global hockey.
Stage one, which has been given the green light in countries such as Holland and Belgium, involves carefully managed training before the next stage of a resumption of regional competition followed by local travel between neighbouring nations.
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“Trans-Continental competition will follow and, finally, once a vaccine is in place, it is hoped there will be a return to normal competition,” a statement said, adding that there was no time scale for the stages.
As a guideline for clubs, the FIH gave a link to Dutch club Oranje-Rood on how they are dealing with a safe return to hockey.
Meanwhile recommendations for a return to top level spectator events include mouth and nose protection to be worn by non-playing personnel, no ice baths and personalised food and drinks.
Pitches across the globe, the FIH says, will also need to be disinfected before any return to use.
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