After major sporting events were shut down due to Coronavirus lockdown, some leagues across sports resume after gradual lifting of lockdown. The games had to follow basic protocols, but gave something to the fans after a wait of more than 2 months. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
Bundesliga Bundesliga, Germany’s top-tier football league, resumed from 16 May. 8 fixtures have been played so far. The last match was played on 11 March, marking a gap of more than 2 months. No signs of rust present as high-scoring matches ensued. Nevertheless, safety protocols were followed. No spectators were allowed inside the stadium, and players on the substitute bench had to wear masks. Goal celebrations occurred without hugs.
You shoot at the goal, make a top pass, a goal – and nothing happens. That’s very, very strange. We really miss our fans. Lucien Favre, Manager of Borussia Dortmund
Baseball Back in Taiwan Taiwan’s baseball league resumed from 12 April in empty stadiums after successful curbing of Coronavirus, drawing more than 650,000 viewers. On 15 May, 1500+ spectators were allowed inside the stadium, with the limit now increased to 2,000. Unlike Bundesliga, food provision is allowed inside the stadium. Importantly, no social distancing has to be followed by the spectators, which is drawing more spectators.
When Will Other Leagues Start? English Premier League (EPL), the world’s most popular football league having Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, etc is scheduled to resume from June 1. However, it will occur only if no new cases are reported in England. The situation regarding the permit of spectators inside the stadium is unclear. The world’s most popular basketball league, America’s NBA is supposed to resume after June. However, some sources claim the current season would be declared finished with the current table positions, and the next season will start from December.
What about India? The latest lockdown guidelines have allowed the opening of stadiums and sports-complexes while disallowing any spectators. The step has given hope to IPL fans, with BCCI hoping to finish the 2020 season before the year’s end. India’s football league ISL is in the same stadium, seeking to finish the season before 2020 ends.
Curiopedia
The Olympic Games generate substantial revenues, through the sale of broadcasting and marketing rights, as well as other income streams. The revenue for the Summer and Winter Olympics that spans between 2013 to 2016, was $5.7 billion. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a non-profit organization, dedicated to using the revenue to assist athletes and develop sport worldwide. As a result, IOC distributes about $3.4 million per day around the world to help athletes and sports organizations.
As of 2020, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium (Motera Stadium) in Ahmedabad, India is the largest cricket stadium in the world and the second-largest stadium overall, with a seating capacity of 110,000 spectators. The stadium hosted the opening of “Namaste Trump”, the inaugural visit of US President Donald Trump on 24 February 2020.
During the 1918 influenza pandemic commonly called the Spanish flu, sporting events resulted in social gatherings. Even though the attendance was low, these games helped spread a new strain of the virus and caused the second wave of influenza in the United States. The image below shows how the players and the fans showed up to games with masks during the 1918 influenza pandemic.
Cuated Coverage
Mirror – Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre speaks out on absent fans after Bundesliga return
Los Angeles Times – English Premier League cleared to resume season June 1 with caveats
CNBC – NBA wants to finish rest of the season; start next season in December
Hindustan Times – Govt guideline on opening stadiums raises IPL hopes
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