As we all know the competitions in the first sports leagues in Luxembourg are about to restart.
On one hand, you could ask: But Is it not too risky? Is it not too early? On the other hand, you could just say: FINALLY!
The season has started more or less normal. Players were able to have a regular preseason which includes many fun practices, crazy running exercises and even some friendly games. Doesn’t everybody love preseason? I know for sure, it isn’t’ everybody’s favourite thing about basketball. Then, after a couple of weeks of practicing, the start of the season came closer and people started wondering, are we going to be able to have a regular season? What if we must stop again?
Unfortunately, this fun and the routines that players as well as fans got back into their lives was not supposed to last long. While all summer, the COVID Situation seemed like under control, a couple of games into the season, the situation got really quick a lot worse again. Covid cases came flying in, games had to be rescheduled. Understandably, the season got put on hold but ..
What happens now?
Stop the season? For how long? Cancel the season entirely? The upcoming weeks were crazy. It was a time of lots of Ups and Downs, not only for athletes, but for everyone. Nevertheless, the question on how to handle the situation remained the same. Not only remained the situation the same, but also the different opinions people had/have about the pandemic in general and in relation to sports during a global pandemic. Suddenly everyone thinks their opinion is the only one that is right. Media diffuses different information to a point where you do not know anymore what to believe. And still here we were, after a couple of months, hanging in the air not being able to do sports?!
For most people, this aspect would not have a huge impact on their lives, but for athletes, this is unthinkable. Isn’t it super difficult for athletes, especially those that are used to team sports to work out individually? Not being able to practice the sport that you love the most is one thing but not being able to be around your team, your team that is second family to most players is a whole other thing. All those weeks and months have passed and still, every decision by the government came with new, different opinions on the whole situation. The question/option of cancelling the season still in the back of everybody’s head. Nevertheless, one aspect remained the same for every athlete…
How do I stay in game shape in times like these? And is it even worth it? And most important, how do I stay mentally ready/healthy?
Going for a run (during winter – especially difficult for basketball players 😉), doing workouts at home, or even working out with the team via Zoom became part of the daily basis for most players. However, that just was not that same feeling, the one that keeps every athlete going, the one that makes you try to push a little harder, because you do it for the team. Going through the winter months was tough, not only having to deal with a lot of uncertainty concerning basketball, but life and the pandemic in general as well.
When will it all go back to normal? At the end of the day, everyone has their own story and having their own problems whether it is mentally, physically or any other kind. However, we should see the big picture and not being selfish while wanting the best for the whole society.
Almost a year into the pandemic and still no end in sight.
They say though times do not last. And yet here we are, looking forward to getting a little normality back into our lives. The first leagues are allowed to practice sports normally again. The woman’s Total League will start this weekend with a game that had to be rescheduled. Every other team will start next weekend.
And yet, still, here we are with the same questions and different opinions. Is it too early? Or finally, we are able to start again. What about the kids?
Overall, shouldn’t we take it step by step to try to return back to normality? Sports are very important for mental health, physical health and as a social aspect in everybody’s lives.
So let’s cherish those moments we have, whether it is on the court off the court, with our teammates, our families and friends and enjoy them.
If you want to share your impressions/experiences about the season/ the situation, feel free to send us your stories. presse@flbb.lu
