Happy days are here again for the sports and fitness enthusiasts as the Covid-19 alert has gone down to a level that allows gyms to operate and contact sports to be played again.
The up-and-down trend in Covid cases has put the sports and fitness industry in topsy-turvy and on-and-off mode.
But the more creative ones have managed to continue playing their sports even under the stricter Covid Alert level.
Let’s take for instance, pickleball.
Pickleball is a new kind of paddlesport with most techniques derived from lawn tennis, table tennis, and badminton. Two or more players use solid paddles made from wood, carbon, or graphite that is used to hit a sturdy plastic ball with multiple holes.
The scoring is much like the old system in volleyball with a side-out.
Pickleball players in the Metro Manila converge every Saturday evening to play on temporary courts laid down along the stretch of Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It was arranged by Michael Ray Johnson, president of the Philippine Pickleball Federation.
Some 30 to 40 enthusiasts play the net game whose popularity is growing and is attracting more players from all levels, young and old alike.
One of those who never miss the “Saturdate” pickleball games is Leslie Reyes.
“Honestly, it’s not that hard to get some playing time with different groups around Metro Manila simply because we all share same love for pickleball. There are more fellow enthusiasts each day and this pandemic gave way to pickleball grow faster,” Reyes said.
Playing the game during the pandemic is safe because of social distancing in place. The playing court is so wide, it’s almost impossible for players to get close to each other.
While the business industry is opening up, it’s very important for people to boost their immune systems and combat the Covid virus. That’s why Reyes always finds time and the means to play her favorite pastime.
“It’s actually a great workout, hence, the amazing health benefits. Playing pickleball is so much fun to me personally because I truly love this sport mainly due to making lots of good friends. To say the least I’d say am not only addicted to it but it’s also turning out to be my passion.”
ONLINE TRAINING
Some fitness gyms have also opened their doors to their fitness students to 20 percent capacity.
“Sana, tuloy-tuloy na ito kasi talagang magtatagal naman ang COVID so basta ingat lang talaga and strict health protocols,” said coach Monith Pabroa of Elements MMA.
Other martial arts schools catering to younger students never stopped operating even during the stricter Covid-19 alert.
At the Donnie Geisler Taekwondo Training Center, digital technology was the perfect tool to provide knowledge to their students through online training.
While their physical schools are close, former Olympian and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Donnie Geisler lead his assistant coaches to teach and make their students learn from the comfort of their homes.
Meanwhile, the elite athletes from different National Sports Associations (NSAs) never stopped training as they prepare for the 2022 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam set in May.
For the past months, the national athletes train at their homes under the close monitoring of their coaches and they also train together online.
At the onset of February, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have allowed the bubble-type training bubble. Athletes from boxing, karate, and judo have been training face-to-face at the PSC Training Center in Baguio City.
In the nearby town of La Trinidad, some members of the kickboxing national team are also training under the semi-bubble set-up while waiting for other members from Luzon to go up and complete the crew.
“Medyo mahirap ang set-up sa training but we never stop. Malapit na kami umakyat ng Benguet para makumpleto na ung buong team for the SEA Games. Laban lang talaga dahil dalawa ang kalaban—ung mga taga ibang bansa at ang Covid. But we will overcome,” said national kickboxing coach Glen Mondol.