Sports chiefs blast Nicola Sturgeon as easing of travel curbs does NOT apply to organised club training – The Sun

NICOLA Sturgeon was criticised after it emerged tomorrow’s travel-ban easing would not apply to jogging groups and running clubs.

People will be able to travel around Scotland for the first time in months for outdoor socialising, recreation, or “informal” exercise.

But athletics bosses hit out at the Scottish Government for not extending the relaxation to runners taking part in club training sessions or the 288 jogscotland groups, which are often attended by people trying to improve health and fitness.

Governing body scottish athletics said it was “extremely disappointed” and chairman Ian Beattie, a former vice chair of mental health charity SAMH, said it made “no sense”.

Mr Beattie Tweeted: “People allowed to travel all over Scotland to meet friends or family, but can’t travel outside their local authority area to take part in organised training?

“Makes no sense, particularly when mental health benefits of group training are considered.”

Mark Munro, development director at UK Athletics and sportscotland board member, branded it a “shocking decision”.

And in a tweet tagging Nicola Sturgeon he said: “Up to 1 million members in organised sports clubs in Scotland – not one of the smartest political decisions given the timing.“

The restrictions on leaving council areas have been in place for swathes of Scotland since November.

Organised sports groups have been allowed, but with strict limits on numbers and only for people within the same council area.