Worst fears realised

MAYBE THE ENVITABLE came last Wednesday night, when health authorities here, confirmed that St Vincent and the Grenadines has recorded its first case of corona virus(COVID-19).

These fears, apprehension and anxiey too, came on the heels of the World Health Organisation (WHO) having declared the virus a pandemic.

But Wednesday’s unveiling of our first case of the virus, have already triggered off some adverse reactions.

Among them is CONCACAF’s decision to Gold Cup qualifiers, in which St Vincent and the Grenadines has two football fixtures later this month in the CONCACAF Nations League.

First, the Vincentians would be away to Guadeloupe on March 26, and will host the return leg here on March 31.

Out of an abundance of caution, the regional confederation has postponed the matches until further notice, sought not to risk the worse, as of course, the matches involved movement of people from different countries, and mass gathering.

From a regional standpoint, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ confirmation, like that of Guyana on Wednesday, added to known countries – Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Martinique, Frech St Martin, French Guiana and St Barthelemy.

As a result, Jamaica has banned its athletes from attending the Penn Relays next month in the USA.

Significantly, Jamaica’s much anticipated “Champs”, has been cancelled.

Nearer home to St Vincent and the Grenadines, and because of the threats of COVID-19, authorities in Grenada has also announced the postponement of the track and field meet, known as the Grenada Invitational.

Similarly, in the wider world, several countries have had their sporting events postponed or cancelled.

One of those hardest hit, has been Italy, which has postponed its football league to April 3, and worst case scenario, that the league would not conclude altogether.

In the USA, the NBA, after last Wednesday night’s matches, will be put on hold.

Also, authorities in India have for now, decided to host matches in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), behind closed doors, with a possibility of cancelling the event altogether.

Elsewhere as well, to avoid possible spread, some sporting competitions are played without spectators.

We just have to face up to the reality, that corona virus is here with us , and we all have to do our best to negate its spread and overall impact.

Here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, it has been business as usual, before Wednesday’s revelation, as sporting events have continued without much concerns.

With our events being merely recreational, things have been going ahead as planned But the dynamics have changed as since the announcement of the first case on Wednesday night, one place of entertainment has decided to shut up shops until further notice.

One expects similar reactions in the upcoming days.

But things have gone where we did not want them to go, and now the alarm bells are ringing.

The reality has struck and one has to now grapple with the possibilities of doing like what other countries have done.

St Vincent and the Grenadines at this time, has little mass gathering at sporting events, hence, we may not need to follow suit and institute drastic measures.

At best at this juncture, sports wise, are the ongoing national football club championships; the Biabou football league, the national netball tournament, the Top Belair football competition, as well as the Marriaqua softball cricket competition.

Would we see those be put on the postponement list?

Similarly, on the national sporting agenda for next month, are the hosting of the Inter – Primary Schools’ Athletics Championships and the Inter- Secondary Schools’ Championships.

On the flip side, should SVG do like Jamaica and halt the Thomas Saunders and the St Vincent Grammar School from attending the Penn Relays next month?

Or will be doing like Antigua and Barbuda, which has said no to its athletes travelling to Bermuda for the Junior Carifta Games, over the Easter weekend?

Should we begin to press the panic button and put all the country’s sporting activities on a standstill?

Yes, there must be concerns , as it should always be health above sports and entertainment.

As we wait for things to unfold hopefully for the better, sporting organisations should be working with the health authorities, before any decisive actions are taken.

Most importantly, it is an opportune time for citizens of this country, to adhere to the sanitisation practices, as well as other nutrition regiments, as we all endeavour to fight off the scourge of COVID- 19.