Can It Ever Be The Same Again?

The worst fears have been realized.

We now have broken the 6000+ Covid-19 cases threshold. What makes this even more depressing is the fact this number came without even going through the 5000-mark first.

I feel extremely despondent for anyone who is tested positive along with their loved ones going through this ordeal. Heck, I don’t think anyone is spared from this bleak situation. It’s hard to imagine what on earth everyone here in Malaysia is going through. 

For the sake of controlling this cursed pandemic, a lot of sectors will surely have to close or scale down. But the one sector I always keep in my heart is the sports sector. 

We’ve already been gutted a number of times despite the leading people in sports, especially football, having adhered to the strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). And yet, we’re the ones that are paying the price the most despite evidence the grassroots sports sector did not contribute a single cluster ever (And of course).

We thought there was at least a glimmer of hope when the sports sector reopened earlier this year due to the amazing efforts of a number of leaders in the industry. It wasn’t the brightest of lights, but at least it was gleaming.

Then, that light is snuffed out again. The Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0 happened and sports had to be the first sacrificial lamb once again. And with the pandemic situation getting worse than ever, I’m not even sure if the whole industry can recover to what it once was after taking so many hits to the stomach that is only filled by a moratorium just once since the first MCO last year.

Once upon a time, I was introduced to the grassroots scene in 2017 all thanks to the tweets about it by Khal and Padang Bola Sepak about the Selangor Champions League (SCL). Since then, I’ve been a part of the SCL set-up and following the grassroots scene a lot more closely. I remember the thrills on-the-pitch and the vibrancy off it. Everyone went about as if forgetting their real life problems even if it was only temporary with perhaps smiles on their faces, enjoying the game that they love.

Now, I'm not even sure if I can see that same kind of activity happening, even after the pandemic is declared over. And even if it’s over, it will likely take a long time to restore the status quo of grassroots football. So the question is: Can it really be the same after the pandemic is over? We sadly won’t know until we’re out of this deep, muddy quagmire.

If there’s one thing I’m still keeping hold of despite the bleak outlook, it’s hope. Hope that the positivity rate in Malaysia lowers in the coming weeks, hope that the sports industry once again reopens without any worry it will close again and above all, hope the pandemic will be over sooner than later.

For now, all we can do is to take care of ourselves, be mindful of the SOPs and stay indoors unless you need your daily necessities. Take care, stay safe, hope that the grassroots scene will rise from the burning ashes and hopefully, things will get better.