By Clifton Ross
THE local sports and fitness scene has been hit heavily by Covid-19, but an urgent blueprint for a phased reopening process is needed as health and wellness play an even bigger role in society today.
The role of promoting exercise and fitness as part of one’s daily life routine has never been more significant, given the high levels of immunity and peak physiology needed to withstand/sustain possible contractions of the virus.
Apart from the local athletes, the average Guyanese usually indulges in daily or weekly workout routines. The green light to put in some cardiovascular sessions, whether it be on the seawalls, the National Park or around the block, is still limited to the lockdown rules.
With no specific time frame on the return to full normalcy within the sporting sector locally, it is utterly crucial to formulate a phased plan of return to live action.
For example, sports which are usually played at community centres, multi-purpose facilities/arenas and grounds, can slowly reinstate a bit of normalcy to their associations by implementing unique guidelines suited to their genre of sports.
In the case of gyms, a limited number of people can be permitted to work out, with gyms scheduling specific workout sessions with designated number of attendees at a time.
Areas designated for weights or exercise machines should have the areas sanitised with that area too being restricted to a limited amount of persons.
Looking to the more meticulous approach of reopening the gates to live team action and congregating, stricter guidelines and rules are needed in order to make this aspect a success.
For team sports like cricket, soccer, rugby and basketball, local associations should tinker with limiting the number of days in which they host practice sessions or simply group players according to total number of active members and designate days for those groups to have their sessions which will be carried out under Covid-19 guidelines.
A big factor will be limiting/monitoring social interactions among the teams or players before, during and after games.
Any form of interaction or pre/post game meetings should be done discreetly with specifed small groups of five or so being broken up together and attended to separately. Teams will also be tasked with maintaining off-field responsibilities with regard to staying safe and in shape amidst the pandemic.
With no certain time on a recession of the virus, innovative plans and approaches are needed by the local sports industry and government as to better facilitate the future for the full return of sports in Guyana.
