Memorable Moments in Local Sport: The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Sport

(By Kevin Darcy)
These uncertain times are affecting everyone on the planet, with every person, man, woman and child being touched in some way or another. 

I recently returned to Australia from India and did my two weeks isolation before heading back to Donald.

On my return I dropped into the “Buloke Times” to wish the editor all the best on his 90th, and it was suggested that my Indian experience may be of interest to local sporting bodies in the district, especially with the cricket season approaching later this year.

My experiences really show that global decisions made by global sporting organizations can and will affect the world, and will affect sporting organizations in Donald and the district.

There are probably four to five global sports that are played by the world populations by both men and women (football, i.e. soccer, tennis, cricket and basketball). All of these have been affected in India. 

All Levels
These global sports are played at all levels of life, not so much tennis and basketball, due to lack of available land for multiple tennis courts and sports centres, and there are certainly not many seven-foot Indian people running around.

Cricket and football is certainly played by all and sundry.

You only need to look at arenas anywhere in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata or Bangalore and all available land has either cricket or football being played on it.

Remember, there are over one billion people living in India, with a land mass far less than Australia.

A “Religion”
Undoubtedly by far the most popular sport being played in India is cricket. Outsiders say it is a religion, I can safely confirm that it certainly is.

Walking to the office in downtown Mumbai, mainly through back streets so as to avoid the traffic on the main roads, there are games of cricket happening with groups of young boys and girls everywhere. I stopped and watched every now and again, and all games were very serious. 

In one instance I stopped to watch a young chap bowling sharply to his mate with a wicket-keeper and two fielders. As he walked back to his 15-metre run up, I asked him if he was a batsman or bowler? He stopped, puffed out his chest and said, “I am an all-rounder” – he was 12 years of age. I walked away suitably chastised.

On most days I watched these four to six lads at play, whilst sipping on the local chai (cup of tea). Eventually they started to call me naana and daadu (white grandpa).

T20 Tournament
This love of cricket is further illustrated with the yearly cricket tournament, the Indian IPL (two to three months of T20 cricket played by eight teams at eight different venues throughout India).

Every game is sold out, no matter where. The teams are owned by a high-profile Indian person (usually connected to the Bollywood movie industry) and watched by millions locally and globally on many broadcast platforms.

The revenue generated by this tournament is staggering and the broadcast/production crews and commentators involved totals over 1,000.

Crew and players stay in the same hotel. I remember one instance where the crew was unable to get to the hotel simply because Virat Kholi and AB de Villiers were staying there and the crowds had taken over the hotel and the streets outside.

There are also many lower profile local cricket tournaments happening in India during their season (September till April).

The most recent tournament was in March this year (the Road Safety World Series), a cricket legends’ T20 tournament between India, Sri Lanka, Australia, West iIndies and South Africa. The teams were of a high calibre and experience.

Big Names
The captains were Sachin Tendulker, Brian Lara, Jonty Rhodes, Dilshan and Brett Lee. The tournament was endorsed by the BCCI (India’s cricket board) and the ICC.

All players were signed up by their various boards (Australian Cricket Board for example). There14 players per side. Commentators were both Indian and international, as were the umpires.

The standard of the tournament was first class, and very, very competitive.

Players of the calibre of Sachin Tendulkar, Jonty Rhodes, Brian Lara, Brett Lee, Lance Klusner and Dilshan all showed that they still had the class and spirit to be the best. 

High Ratings
More important, the TV ratings were very good with well-known national sponsors.

Unfortunately, after game five, the tournament had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 virus – a decision was made very, very quickly.

We received word the virus had hit Sri Lanka the day before our game six prompting a meeting to be called that night of all players, commentators, umpires, referees, the broadcaster and all venue managers. 

All were happy to continue with no crowds, but the Sri Lankan players were concerned about families back home and wanted to get on a plane ASAP. So, when one team pulled out, that was it.

The task then was to get over 200 players, commentators and crew back home to South Africa, West Indies, Australia, Sri Lanka and the UK as quickly as possible. The biggest hurdle was the communication to all of these people, which did cause frustration.

It is hoped to resume the tournament in the last quarter of 2020.

Relevance
You may ask why this article is relevant to Buloke district sport, in this case the upcoming cricket season later in 2020.

International cricket is governed by the ICC, in Australia, by Cricket Australian accordance with their partners through each state body.

We have been reading how Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria are in a shambles at the moment, but this should not affect local competitions, specifically the Buloke shire’s cricket season.

There certainly will not be any crowd issues at any level. 

Two weeks ago the ICC put out a document covering all cricket, outlining the COVID-19 protocols that must be adhered to by all cricket competitions, be it international, national and, I assume, cricket in general.

Protocols
Some of these protocols include – field of play, training venue, change rooms, gear and equipment and management of the ball. Although cricket is not a contact sport, it is a potential transmission medium, and all rules should apply around the management of the ball, on-field behaviour, with any celebrations including body contact. Shared use of drink bottles, towels, and equipment should be discouraged. Umpires, referees and support staff must be considered vulnerable, especially older participants.

Based on international evidence, transmission of COVID-19 is greater for indoor sports activity.

On the resumption of cricket, members should follow all government advice. Clubs may be required to confirm the resumption of training and playing to the relevant cricket bodies.

In conclusion, may I wish all the Buloke shire sporting bodies, whether it be cricket, tennis or basketball, all the best. I look forward to the new sporting complex bursting into activity in the summer of 2020/2021. 

It is hoped it will lead into the resumption of the 2021 Aussie rules, netball and hockey seasons – stay safe all. 

All local families need local sport to be played for the benefit of all generations, be it the Dads, Mums or their kids.

Stadiums

• Wankhede stadium, based in the Mumbai CBD, bit like the MCG to the Melbourne CBD. It seats 35,000, another 20,000 standing.
• Dy Patil stadium, based five miles from Mumbai CBD (seats 40,000, 15,000 standing).
• Pune stadium based an hour from Mumbai by road (seats 50,000, 15,000 standing).

All grounds are very well kept, and all staff prepare great pitches for all.

There are also international arenas in Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata – Eden

Park stadium holds 90,000 to 100,000, depending on how many people are allowed to stand.

The average price for a ticket is standing 500 rupees (A$10), seats 2000 rupees (A$40).

Boxes are available to the public which hold 10 people (25,000 rupees (A$475).

Cricket is certainly a religion in India and is a very important to their everyday life and culture

A Few Final Points

• The ICC Return to Cricket Protocols is in Table Form. If anyone would like  a full copy of the ICC Document, it is readily available, and will gladly pass on.
• There was a small article in Saturday’s “Herald Sun” that Cricket Victoria will be in  touch with all Victorian Cricket Associations to help re-kick their summer seasons.
• Also in my possession are the same COVID-19 Protocols for Tennis and Basketball, if any association required them

Good luck to you all.

Further Reading: