Laurie Foster | Donning the hats of prophets

The plans for the world’s sporting calendar continue to take a flogging because of the uncertainty of the total impact of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

At the present stage, especially where the scheduled dates are close, it is quite understandable that postponements are being made. New dates for some of those postponed events have been set, as organisers don the hats of prophets trying to predict the paths which the virus will take in the coming months. It is not that they are in possession of data which would suggest that the new dates chosen bear any realistic relevance to what is likely to happen. In many instances, depending on the size of the event, the enormous costs of staging makes it difficult to call a permanent halt on the proceedings. This places great responsibility on organisers to make the right call. Who knows if they might not have to push the dates further back?

Oftentimes in sporting endeavour, one hears that the athletes are the most important cog in the wheel of competition. This is sometimes used to ignore and, by extension, disrespect the roles of the administrators who undertake the role of running the sport. The present scenario should inform that the persons behind the scenes are the ones who are expected to face and identify solutions to those problems brought on by the spread of the coronavirus.

As the saga continues, more than ever the spotlight is trained on the decision-makers who have the ultimate role of saying, “will it happen or will it not?” Their function is made that much more vital since it is the year of the Olympics. Frequently, the expressions centre around how hard athletes have to prepare for four years. That might be so, but this situation places less burden on them than there is on the administrators. It is for the occupants of the boardrooms to step up to the plate and accept the responsibility which comes with their offices and privileges.

To the athletes, and in recognising their roles, they are expected to listen to the advice of the coaches who have been guiding them along the paths to bring them to their current condition. In interviews, they keep referring to their coaches as the ones who decide what happens from day to day. That should be their mantra in the virus season and they should have the same confidence in less hazardous situations.

COVID-19 is here to test the resilience and strength of purpose of those who are available to oppose it. It promises to be a long struggle of a kind not experienced before, apart from the ravages of a world war.

It is hoped that the human resources, as in-built in sporting administrators, will be enhanced.

That will be seen by the ability of sports to survive.

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