Athletes diligent during COVID-19 crisis
Published:Friday | March 20, 2020 | 12:27 AMDaniel Wheeler/Gleaner Writer
Local athletes are managing to find ways to train in spite of restrictions being imposed by the Jamaican Government to combat the novel coronavirus, which now has 16 official cases and one death.
The pandemic has caused numerous cancellations and postponements of sporting events worldwide. Football and athletics, two of the country’s main products, have been affected.
For football, it has forced clubs to restructure their training activities. Interim Harbour View FC head coach Ludlow Bernard said that they plan to have training with smaller groups in keeping with the Government’s recommendation to limit gatherings to no more than 20 persons.
“The Government has insisted that no more than 20 people should actually assemble, so we are sticking by that guideline,” Bernard said. “We have a schedule of activities, which will involve small groups, so we are hoping that it will be suitable for our situation.”
Additionally, Bernard has sent out individual workout programmes for the players to complete as they self-isolate as a measure to combat the spread of the virus. Bernard said that the players, for the most part, are following the regimen outlined.
“So far, in making the checks, it seems like the majority of them are complying, but, of course, whenever we assemble again, we will put this to the test just to ensure that they are, in fact, carrying out the work that they have been recommended,” he said.
Arnett Gardens head coach Alex Thomas is making similar demands of his players during the time off, and he says that they have responded well, with videos of their prescribed workouts being shared in their WhatsApp group in order for their progress to be tracked.
Sprintec head coach Maurice Wilson said that it has been challenging adjusting to the new guidelines, with all athletic activities at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport cancelled, training restricted to the few athletes who have a chance to make the Jamaica team for the Olympic Games, and intensive health protocols. Wilson said that measures have been created to maintain a balance of keeping active and further combating the spread of the virus.
“We [still] want to be prepared because we still have an obligation to the athletes and to the Jamaican people, but in so doing, we want to make sure that we adhere to the guidelines regarding what has been happening,” Wilson said.