Sports fans ‘empty’ amid covid19-related cancelations

Morvant Caledonia AIA defender Radanfah Abu Bakr (left) screens off Kishon Hackshaw of Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, in an Ascension Invitational Football Tournament match at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB
Morvant Caledonia AIA defender Radanfah Abu Bakr (left) screens off Kishon Hackshaw of Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, in an Ascension Invitational Football Tournament match at the La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB

FOR many, the weekend is a time to relax. But for sports fans, it is a time to cheer on their favourite teams, engage in banter or “ole talk” with fans of their rivals or simply enjoy good games. Some even visit sports bars to lime with friends or make bets on important matches.

And with the postponement and cancellation of almost all local, regional and international sporting events as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of covid19, many of these fans say they now feel empty.

Last Wednesday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the suspension of its 2019/2020 season after a player tested positive for covid19.

Spanish football league La Liga followed suit on Thursday, announcing a two-week suspension. Eventually, the English Premier League, UEFA Champion’s League, Bundesliga, local and regional cricket, swim meets, marathons, track meets and several other sporting events were either cancelled or paused.

With football, basketball and cricket being among the most popular sports in TT, Newsday chatted with some sports fans to find out how they have been coping.

Darian Solomon said, “I absolutely miss the games. It’s really a big part of my life because even during the week I would keep myself posted with team press conferences, transfer gossip, midweek fixtures. (I) really feel the loss.”

Adeniken Caesar told Newsday he feels like a part of him is missing as football is his life.

In the midst of the disappointment, some fans said they were happy some of their favourite players who are injured would now be able to recover without worrying about missing games.

Chad Lee Loy, a Manchester United supporter, joked, “It’s hard. I mean there’s still some cricket but once Liverpool doesn’t win the Premier League, I could live with it.”

Newsday also chatted with Armin Halm, who is currently quarantined at home in Germany.

He said, “I can say it sucks. I mean this sports-wise because Bundesliga and other leagues are a big part of my life. But (I am) still working from home. Luckily, I have other hobbies like photography, Photoshop, guitars and piano.” Many also said they have been playing video games and watching series and movies to pass the time.It even started an online trend with jokes and memes where the person documents their life without sports. For example, one user wrote, “Day two without sports. Just met a woman on the couch in my living room. Apparently she’s my wife.”

But even with all of the jokes and despair, everyone has been agreeing the decisions had to be made to ensure the safety of the athletes, technical staff and fans.

Comments

"Sports fans ‘empty’ amid covid19-related cancelations"

More in this section