Amateur sport is going through difficult times in the Montpellier Metropolis. Its gymnasiums and enclosed spaces (ice rink) are prohibited for those over 18, depriving them of training and matches. The curfew is a little more stifling the budget balance and sports fairness, underlines Khaled Baki.
When Khaled Baki raises one by one the measures related to Covid-19, it also goes red. Incomprehensible he said. Unbelievable. Dangerous for the survival of amateur sport. “Seniors (+18 years) are forbidden to train, on the other hand, we can put these same ten players in a minibus, go six hours on the road, to go and play in another room. I do not understand”.
We don’t get any help
The president of Montpellier Basket Mosson thus summarizes what awaits him Saturday, October 17 since his pennant team, resident of Nationale 3, must go to the Coteaux (8 p.m.). And the curfew further complicates the situation. “We are going to sleep at the hotel to protect the players from a fine! It will cost us even more than what was planned but we will not be able to do it in all the matches. Especially since we do not receive any help.
What sports fairness?
The president asks another question: Where is the sporting equity between a team which continues its three practices per week and plays in front of the public and one deprived of room? “I do not understand why the Ministry of Sports did not say that in areas where we cannot train, where we cannot play, we suspend the championship. We will see later what happens.”
I am in absolute stress
Except that the Federation has not given any sign of life since the implementation of these measures. “We are isolated. I am in absolute stress. We just received an email from the City of Montpellier asking us to end our training at 8 pm”. Because fortunately for the survival of the Montpellier club, the practice of leisure activities, young people, remains authorized. And it will thus host internships during the school holidays.
“We did not have the prefect. No elected representative. On the other hand, to ask us to take action in the neighborhood, the social, yes, but there, nobody takes care of us. I do not understand that we doesn’t help proximity. And to be honest, I’m at the end of my life when it comes to basketball. We authorize things in professional sport which already has the means, and amateur sport, nothing. No exceptions, nothing. We all felt the same. I would like to know the figure: how many sick athletes, hospitalizations? In my team, I have none, and even if we would put him in isolation and we would take our responsibilities . I do not understand that we cannot even train behind closed doors.
Unite the discontented
Khaled Baki contacted the president of Toulouse, also in the red zone, who, on Saturday evening, will go to Frontignan! And the idea of uniting dissatisfaction to bring legal action is not far off.
