Indian stars predict ‘new normal’ once action resumes

Sport is a tool that unites people and brings joy to thousands of participants and viewers across the world. While aspects of heightened safety protocols will be integrated for the foreseeable future, the want and attraction of sport will not diminish. The post-COVID-19 world could be a blessing in disguise for India. There may not be so much foreign exposure and this may allow India to build proper sporting infrastructure.

We are all hoping and praying desperately for things to get back to normal but can they ever? Of course, not. Sports will change. Mine is a contact sport and I am personally worried how we are going to deal with it. For the time being, I don’t see any sparring happening in training at least, I would be totally against it. I believe training itself will become very individualistic. As for the fans, they will come back to watch, I don’t see a problem there. The standard of hygiene at tournaments will go up to another level. Travelling will be less frequent, training will not exactly be a team thing and I don’t know how and when the tournaments will resume.

Sport won’t change. Things will be normal once COVID-19 goes away.

I think I will have to be extra careful on flights as they are the main transporters of germs around the world. There will be a new normal for sure. Passing the airports will also get much harder. My first instinct after the game is to shake hands with the opponent, but now things might change there also.

In today’s age, when television and digital platforms have become important part of our lives, I don’t think the lack of spectators in stadiums will have much of a bearing as far as business is concerned. I see TV and digital media gaining from this. Sports events will gradually come back to what they were before. They can be held behind closed doors for now. Till a vaccine is out, I don’t think they can have people inside as it involves a lot of risks.