But the sports environment intends to fight restrictions. Proof of this is the letter sent to the Minister of Health Jan Blatný.
The unprecedentedly critical official statement, signed by the leaders of domestic sport, states: “It is necessary to perceive the positive non-negligible impacts of sport on society, which in our opinion exceed the current risks.”
The daily has already published an appeal of personalities in recent days. Now follows this form, under which are signed, for example, Milan Hnilička (head of the National Sports Agency) or Miroslav Jansta (chairman of the Czech Sports Union). And not only them – officials from all umbrella organizations joined. That is, the Czech Sokol Municipality, the Association of Sports Associations and the Czech Olympic Committee.
An Unseen Thing – Other times disputed sports officials have found common ground (and a common enemy).
Leaders are not just criticizing, they also came up with a proposal to go on to play sports, at least in veils or with an antigen test. In addition, they are preparing a project for young athletes who could train, race, play regardless of the coronavirus situation.
Sport is on the fringes of interest
The closure of sports venues will have a negative impact not only on society as a whole, but especially on children and their health.
“I am very happy that other umbrella sports organizations have joined us,” said Miroslav Jansta, President of the Czech Sports Union. In a commentary for Deník, he added: “It turns out that sport is an unknown area on the fringes of interest for many civil servants, even though it is a tool for prevention.”
The possibilities of sports are very limited by returning to the 4th level of the PES system. In addition to enclosed halls, swimming pools and gyms, the number of people on the outdoor sports ground is also limited.
This also applies to ice rinks, which is a problem. Example from Prague: at Vypich, the organizers started after a rush of reservations. The places were gone. Example from Brno: there will be no ice surface Jošta this year. Example from Liberec: public skating is not possible.
The officials are therefore very angry. “Insufficient movement results in an increase in the number of children in the first grades with speech impairments, attention disorders, many of them are less motor-skilled and more often have difficulty writing and reading. The habits and automatisms that children acquire in sports are of interest not only in health and social interaction, but also in subsequent professional life, “the letter to the Minister of Health reads.
A tool in the fight against a pandemic
And it’s not just about obesity and health, according to experts, all this will cause billions in damage to the Czech economy, for example due to absence from work, inability to work in a team and compliance with rules.
“We see sport as an important tool in the fight against a pandemic,” Jansta said.
The question is how the Ministry of Health will react. Blatný was confronted with these arguments in the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, but he answered vaguely. He allegedly does not want to fight against sports.
“If we compare this activity with activities in shops and movement in the workplace, we unfortunately have to state an unfavorable combination of time and distance factor together with increased breathing activity and frequency, which in this sense shifts sport mainly in its leisure and unorganized activity , “he said.
According to information from the National Sports Agency, however, Blatný accepted and read the letter, even making time for officials in his program.
Sport may still have hope…
