By Tony Mariadass
‘New Norms’ to
change the face of sports
WHEN this 'war' against Covid 19 is
won, although it may not be a total victory, the world as we know it will have
little choice but to embrace ‘new norms’ and people must change their lifestyle
completely.
The anticipated
devastation of this virus will be huge and felt in all corners of the
world. Besides affecting the lifestyle of the world's population, it will also
have huge impact on the different economies, businesses, employment, poverty
and the list goes on.
But sports and
entertainment, nowadays a major part of our lifestyle, is one area which is
going to be hit severely.
Will there be huge
crowds at sports or entertainment events like in the recent past?
Here in Malaysia, the strong
possibility that mass gatherings at events will not be allowed for at least
another six months, is going to have a negative impact on sports.
With all activities,
sports or otherwise, suspended during the Covid 19 pandemic and the Movement
Control Order (MCO) in place, all major sporting events came to a shuddering
halt. When will things be back to normal? That's anybody's guess.
When things are back to
normal, the M-League, as an example, is definitely not going to be the same.
Are matches going to be
played to empty stadiums or maybe a restricted number of fans be allowed for each
match as stadium capacities will be halved or even reduced to one-third?
Is there going to be
social distancing enforced at stadiums where fans (if allowed) must
sit one metre away from each other and demarcations are made in
the stadiums?
Are there going to be new
rules governing the use of sports equipment where it's compulsory for athletes
to wear masks or even gloves?
Also, no handshakes or
hugging?
No celebrations after scoring
a goal or on wrapping a victory?
In sports where a net separates
the opposing players, like badminton and sepak takraw, contact between players
will minimised.
What about swimming? Is it
safe to jump into the pool with numerous other swimmers in it?
Sanitisers placed around the
stadium?
Sanitisers curtain is a must
at all sporting venues? Stadiums must be sanitised before and after every
match.
What about sports in schools?
Is physical education going to be a classroom session? No more field
activities?
How is all this going to affect the
health of the younger generation?
All this is happening
while we have been actively promoting a healthy lifestyle to the young and
older generation which in turn helps keep of our health bills lower.
What will happen to the
numerous weekend fun-runs which have become a norm in Malaysia?
And what about fitness centres and
sports gymnasiums? Will social distancing be rule? Will clients or sportsmen
and women going to feel safe?
In Australia where sports is a
part of their culture, Aussies are still allowed to engage in physical exercise
(either alone or in the company of no more than one other person).
But Malaysians, regrettably,
are not as disciplined as the Australians. Just look at the number of cars on
the roads or the number of people at markets and supermarkets, despite the MCO
being in place and if not heeded can result in a heavy fine, arrest and being
charged in court.
As more and more people
clamour for flexibility during the MCO, they had better be prepared for life
being totally different when the MCO is relaxed or lifted. They must get used
to the ‘New Norms’ which could well last a few years.
Probably and sadly, sports will turn
to E-sports as an alternative and gain further popularity, although it has been
shunned by many as a ‘non sport’, which only turns people into ‘couch
potatoes’.
Sportsmen and women get ready
for ‘Distancing Control Order’.
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