Scientists around the world are racing against time to develop an effective vaccine to counter the new, deadly, and highly infectious coronavirus disease, Covid-19, which has brought much of the world to a standstill since March this year. The pandemic, which has so far affected more than 13 million global life and two children survive the player with almost all events, including the friends Olympics being postponed to curb the spread.

Of late, besides golf’s PGA Tour, cricket has resumed with England and the West Indies locking horns in a bio-bubble environment while in India, national camps of all major sports are yet to kick off. But India’s national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand feels resumption of sporting activities with all precautions, will only bring in positivity.

In an exclusive chat with local news outlets the former, All England champion dwells on the current sports environment, including challenges and opportunities and the Run to the Moon initiative to support coaches.

Sport has been affected in many ways. For example, in international competitions, there has been the cancellation or postponement of events as big as the Olympics, which has dented our players’ chances of participating in those events. For many other professions, one year lost in a 30- or 40-years professional journey wouldn’t make much of a difference.

In other news, Ace Para-Badminton player and Arjuna awardee, Ramesh Tikaram, has died following the deadly COVID-19 virus. The 51-year-old player, who had fever and cough, was admitted to a private hospital on June 29. A wife and two children survive the player.

One of the sportsman’s friends K Y Venkatesh, said Tikaram was instrumental in bringing the international para-badminton tournament to the country in 2001.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi