Silence of graveyard in sports arena!

Ending nearly three month-long unprecedented hiatus caused by Covid-19 pandemic, curtains of Bundesliga, the widely followed German football league, have been lifted on May 16. High voltage games were played amidst eerie silence with no spectator in the sprawling stadium in consonance with the dictates of researchers, scientists, doctors etc championing for 'social distancing' to protect the endangered humanity. Portugal became the next country in the world to resume football league in empty stadiums on 3rd June. Needless to say, that consequent upon imposing hitherto unknown 'lockdown' to thwart spreading of catastrophic 'novel Corona virus', worldwide sporting activities had come to a grinding halt from March 2020 .

Causing a serious blow to 124 year old glorious history of modern Olympics, the International Olympic Association has been forced to defer the 'Tokyo Olympics – 2020' by a year. Originally scheduled to be held from 24th July to 9th August, the Japanese euphoria to host the 'greatest sports extravaganza on earth' has been dampened besides inflicting a whooping 640.8 billion yen (US$5.8 billion) loss to the organizers spent in the run up to the event alone. The multi-sports mega event is scheduled to be held from July 23, 2021.

In the midst of worrying news of Ismael Borero, the Cuban wrestler, the defending Olympic Champion in 60 kg category being tested 'Corona positive', the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics 2020 has been hailed unanimously.

Similarly, despite cricket being religion in India, no one has shed tears at the cancelation of 'IPL 2020' !!!. Ironically, home city of 'Chennai Super Kings' and 'Mumbai Indians', two franchises, are worst affected!!

A casual glance into the history of human civilization highlights the fact that mankind's perennial endeavour for entertainment and looking beyond food, shelter and clothing even in primitive days had resulted in evolving of various sports and games that acted as the bridge in fostering universal brotherhood leaving aside all artificial human barriers. The all conquering spirit of sports and games standing above all pettiness have contributed in holding of various international sports events peacefully and uninterruptedly for centuries barring the two World Wars.

Carefully preserved and nurtured in the rich British tradition, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament 2020, the oldest 'Grand slam' tennis championship' stands cancelled in view of countrywide lock down effected in Great Britain prompting deep sense of frustration from legendary Roger Federer, Serena Williams to the lowest seeded players not to speak of connoisseurs of tennis. History of Wimbledon highlights that the iconic tournament that had its momentous beginning as back as in 1877 has been hindered earlier only by the Second and First World War from 1940 to 1944 and from 1915 to 1919 respectively.

Much to the chagrin of the millions of football lovers waiting to watch clash of giants in Euro cup,2020, the vintage football tournament is another top class sporting event to become the casualty of the virus. To commemorate the '60th anniversary of the tournament', the UEFA, in an unique break-away gesture, had earlier decided to hold the various matches in twelve cities spread across in Europe. Rome and Wembley, London were the venues to host the inaugural and final matches respectively., Agonizingly, the admirers will be deprived of watching scintillating display of star footballers of the stature of K. Mbappé, Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, to name a few, till June 2021.

All the magnificent stadiums in the world from Lords ,the 'Mecca of Cricket' , Roland Garrows, France, Michigan stadium in USA etc to our own Nehru stadium have been impacted by the draconian Corona virus. The sports centres across the world stand desolate, deserted with the silence of a grave yard..!!!

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed adversely the inadequacies in world public health infrastructure besides wrecking the economy and financial health of most countries. Consequently, the world sports calendar has been ransacked as never before.

Intriguingly, advent of Corona virus has demolished and wiped off centuries old axiomatic advice to humanity to undertake outdoor physical exercise to maintain good health. The blazing, ridiculously contradictory advice now doing the rounds is,' Stay home to stay healthy' !!!    

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