Xtra Time Web Desk: When the Coronavirus emerged almost two years ago no one imagined that it would leave an indelible mark on every sector and it also became a hiatus for sporting events around the world. The normal calendar of Cricket, Tennis, Football and NBA is once again facing challenges from the new Omicron variant of the deadly virus. The new variant has spooked the world, many countries have already imposed travel restrictions and suspended sporting events.
Cricket
In May 2021 when Coronavirus cases in India were spiralling and a devastating second wave ravaged the country the 14th edition of IPL was suspended mid-way after KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy and few support staff were diagonised with COVID. The tournament was restarted in September at UAE.
The emergence of Omicron variant in South Africa which is spreading across the world has led BCCI and CSA truncate India’s tour to South Africa. The two boards, in the best interest of players safety unanimously agreed to postpone the T20 series while three test matches and as many ODI’s would be played. In the ongoing Ashes series number of COVID positive patients in England’s touring party rose from four to six in the third test at Melbourne. The COVID reports of the players of both teams are negative.
The first case was detected on Boxing Day evening – one day after the 60-strong tour party celebrated Christmas in a restaurant – when one of the family members travelling with the England team began to exhibit symptoms of the infection. This was then followed by positive results for one additional family member and two from England’s coaching staff, with a third initially deemed a close contact. The England team’s support staff and their family members who tested positive after PCR tests are in isolation.
Football
A record 103 players and staff tested positive for COVID-19 in the period from December 20 to 26 at the Premier League. The Omicron variant is expected behind the sudden spike in cases. So far in December, 15 Premier League matches has been cancelled. The three divisions below the top tier are in a fiasco due to postponements.
Leed’s game against Liverpool, Watford’s trip to Wolves and Burnley against Everton were all cancelled before their scheduled Boxing Day fixtures.
Arsenal’s home match against Wolves on Tuesday was called off on Sunday after an increase in positive cases among Wolves’ squad. Leeds’ game with Aston Villa, scheduled for December 28, was also postponed on Sunday due to Leeds’ continued Covid and injury issues.
Despite the rise in Covid cases and several postponements, Premier League chiefs last week opted against halting the season despite calls from some top-flight bosses for a ‘circuit breaker’.
Tennis
COVID scare is spooking the Australian open. Tennis star Denis Shapovalov has tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Sydney ahead of the Australian Open, which in itself is in doldrums now. Shapovalov played last week at the World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, where he beat 20-times major winner Rafa Nadal in the third-place playoff match.
Olympic champion Belinda, Nadal and Tunisian Ons Jabeur all tested positive for the virus after playing the tournament.
The Victoria state government had earlier issued orders that nobody – officials, staff, players, fans, volunteers – would be allowed to enter Melbourne Park full vaccination certificates.