Young athletes of varying sporting disciplines have been attempting to keep themselves fit amid the COVID-19 pandemic but have highlighted the difficulty in doing so since most sporting facilities have been closed until further notice.
Junior national hockey athlete Theodore Thierens has noted that working on his individual game has been extremely difficult since his sport requires a lot of movement in order to practice effectively. “It’s been difficult [because] there isn’t sufficient yard space for me to be able to practice dribbling drills and so on, so the closure of sporting facilities is truly affecting my game”, he said.
Theirens posited that since he has not been a part of competitions for a long time, he is not sure whether or not the work he is putting into his game is enough for him to perform at a high level. “I have nothing and no one to challenge me so I honestly don’t know if I have gotten better or still at the same skill level”, he noted.
Meanwhile, athletes involved in the game of squash have been having a better opportunity to practice, since it is classified as a ‘ball-to-wall-sport”.
Teija Edwards, a 16 year-old who had plans to take part in the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Youth Tournament later this year, explained that the global pandemic took this opportunity away from her. Edwards also detailed how she has been able to stay fit and ready for high level play. “As a squash player, you have to constantly practice your techniques because after a while it can revert to a bad state, so I’ve been consistent in practicing my techniques since I can easily pick up my ball and my racquet and practice hitting my ball at different angles on walls in my home”, she explained.
Kristoff Shepperd, a 21 year-old national volleyball player has noted that COVID-19 has indeed disarranged his training schedule. “The pandemic…has obstructed my training schedule because the national gymnasium and all other volleyball courts are closed”, he said.
Despite the major disturbance, Shepperd is still managing to stay as fit as possible in order to remain on top of his game. The one time recipient of the Best Server award in February last at a French Guiana Invitational Tournament explained that he has “been taking the time to work on my [all around] fitness so that when the volleyball season resumes, I’ll be on par with my fitness level”.
Shepperd also urged all players to do all they can to remain in shape in order to play at a high level when competition resumes. “Although we do not have access to gyms and training facilities, we should still take up the mantle and do some exercises at home or in any space we deem fit…[only] then will we have more competitive sessions and the level of sports in Guyana will elevate”, he urged. (Shaquawn Gill)
