Has the Sports industry dodged the COVID-19 Ball?  

Summary

• The Covid-19 related restrictions have impacted all kinds of sports, and major events such as Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed
• Australia's National Cabinet has released National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities for the phase-wise resumption of sports
• Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that by this month up to 10K people will be allowed in a sports stadium with a seating capacity of up to 40K people
• The global sports industry is facing huge losses. Despite that, the industry is being responsible and coming forward to support the community during challenging times

The year 2020 is certainly not the usual one, and we have witnessed all sorts of things which we would have never imagined, not because pandemic never happened earlier, but of course, it doesn't happen that often for us to relate. Also, the Great Virus Crisis (GVC) is an unprecedented crisis that has brought a lot of uncertainty with it.

Even after the restrictions being eased out for economic recovery, people are still spending more time at home to keep the virus away. The irony here is when people have more time in hand, and they are at home, they still can't enjoy their favourite sports on TV. Like all other facets of life from work, education, way of shopping, and others, the sports world is also hugely impacted due to the pandemic.

When the world is practising social distancing and avoiding gathering, most of the sporting events at various levels - international, national, and regional have been cancelled or postponed. The Covid-19 led conditions have impacted all kinds of sports like wrestling, skiing, weightlifting, from marathons to football tournaments, handball to ice hockey, rugby, cricket, sailing, and athletics championships to basketball games.

World's major sports events - Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed by a year to 2021.

Phase-wise revival of Australian sports

Sports are popular in Australia, and we are world-renowned for having one of the world's best cricket team. The men in yellow have brought the cricket world cup 5 times to the country. Also, Social sport is becoming popular among the younger generation, and the young players start training from as early as pre-schools. Some of the popular sports among Aussies apart from cricket are - Tennis, Netball, NRL, dancing, basketball, AFL, swimming, soccer, and cycling.

The Australian government has acknowledged that sport and recreation will play a crucial role in pandemic recovery due to its economic, social, health, and cultural benefits. However, the government also believes that sports cannot be just started endangering the health and lives of multiple sports enthusiasts and athletes. Hence, it supports the staged resumption of community and professional sports in Australia.

The Australian government has released National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities which provides a pathway for the safe return of sport in the country. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and Sport Australia have welcomed it.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that with further ease of restrictions, the crowd of 10K people will be allowed in sports stadiums with a seating capacity of up to 40K , which clearly tells that the recovery will happen with proper precautions of social distancing.

The venues for concerts, festivals, and sporting matches will see these changes, but only 25 per cent of people will be allowed based on the capacity of the venue.

How is Global sports industry facing the crisis?

The losses are enormous, and millions of jobs related to sports are at risk. Not only those who are directly related but also the associated industries.

Athletes who are supposed to practice their sports regularly are rescheduling their training, which will have a toll on their mental and physical well-being. Most of them are trying to keep up with the physical fitness part, but the uncertainty of future looms on them. Also, no one knows when the global sports industry worth USD 756 billion, will start in full swing.

In such challenging times, the sports industry is also doing their bit to contribute to the fight against the deadly virus. Recently, FIFA has joined forces with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. FIFA has urged the worldwide football community to come forward and support the campaign, which is creating awareness related to the basic hygiene one needs to maintain during the pandemic period to keep the virus at bay.

Governments are supporting the sports clubs and federations with administration related to health, labour, safety and other international standards and protocols. Future sporting events will be conducted as per the recommended safety measures.

When the sports industry is trying to cope with the challenges, Esports are reportedly rising. People are turning to these games to keep themselves occupied during isolation.