NEW DELHI: The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the sports world to an unprecedented halt. The IPL that was suspended midway, will be now played in the UAE. With remaining 31 matches, the second leg of the elite tournament will be held in the September-October window, and the news has filled the fans with fresh hope.
Ravindra Jadeja of Chennai Super Kings celebrates the wicket of Surya Kumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians during the match in May 2021.
However, the challenges before the BCCI were not less. Now the England and Wales Cricket Board has refused to change the schedule of the tour with Team India and has also made it clear that they will not allow their players to participate in the next leg of the IPL. Even Cricket Australia has not given a clear answer citing the busy FTP. When the CPL ends, and if there is a mandatory Quarantine period for players and staffers in UAE, then it is certain many players including Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris of SA will miss at least four to five opening matches. Despite all the difficulties, It is certain that BCCI will organize it under any circumstances as it has 2.5 thousand crore rupees at stake.
On the other hand, if we compare it with the Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo from July 23 this year, then the question arises whether this game will be organised in more difficult circumstances. So far the Government of Japan has spent $ 15.4 billion on organising these games. In such a situation, organising this games becomes even more challenging.
The Medical Union of Japan has warned that this time there are apprehensions of new strains of Covid-19 virus looming and emerging in the Olympics. Earlier a newspaper there has openly advocated the suspension of the Olympics. This newspaper is one of the sponsor of this games. The situation in Osaka city of Japan is going from bad to worse. Emergency has been imposed in nine parts of the country including Tokyo till 20 June.
In Japan, one of the surveys of Olympics, 70 percent were voted in support of the cancellation of this games. The current situation has made the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government alarmed. However, the possibility of cancellation is also challenging for Indian players because now if these games are postponed for next year, then will there not be any question on the participation of qualified players in 2019.
Secondly, the Olympics and Paralympics are held almost simultaneously, the presence of around 20 thousand players, officials and people from 200 countries in both the events, and providing three time meals to the people according to their taste will also be a huge challenge.
Indian sports lovers are already speculating about whether Neeraj Chopra will be able to get the medal in the javelin throw event this time? Will boxer Amit Panghal, apart from Mary Kom, be able to complete the unfinished work of the World Championship finals in the Olympics? Will weightlifter Mirabai Chanu be able to bear the burden of the hopes of 140 crore Indians? Will Bajrang Poonia and Vinesh be able to take advantage of the experience of PWL in the Olympics? Will Indian shooters reminisce about Abhinav Bindra`s golden feat and will the Indian hockey team return with their old glory.
Every Indian is hoping that India will leave behind their best performance of 2012, at least this time. But as the situation is going on at present, hope only seems to be left behind. The reason is the dark clouds of Covid-19 looming over the Olympics.
However, it can only be said that if these games are canceled this time, this will be the fourth occasion in Olympic history. Due to Two World Wars, the Olympic Games have been postponed three times.