Exceptional circumstances need exceptional measures. But measures taken to get sports back on wheels during the COVID-19 pandemic are hitting the spirit of sports. The intensity and competition are killed in the absence of the fans for LIVE matches.
“The show must go on but we need to get the people back. It’s a completely different game, you feel empty. The bad moments are less, the good moments are less,” said football coach Pep Guardiola in an interaction with Virat Kohli.
Sporting events without fans are “like friendly games”, said the famous Spaniard during the webinar hosted by Kohli.
The event, was organised by Puma India, had a battery of sports stars in interaction with the Team India skipper, reports PTI.
“Without people it’s not the same, it’s like a friendly game every time,” expressed Guardiola, the 49-year-old who has been behind the success of the top European clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City with multiple league titles and the Champions League crown under his belt.
With Kohil being there it was obvious for the chat to focus on cricket, which Guardiola is still trying to understand, which he witnessed closely for his association with Manchester City. Club owners City Football Group also have stake in Mumbai City FC.
“Now you know Mumbai City is part of our family. I have never visited India so when this pandemic situation finishes maybe I can go there. And maybe if we are together you can explain to me the rules of cricket. Oh my god it is the most difficult complicated game,” he said.
“I come from Catalunya where cricket is not there but here in England it is an important sport. I try to follow it through the TV sometimes or I have some friends who play. Because you can play three days in a row and still it’s a draw I can’t understand it.
“It must be an attractive sport in some way but you need to understand it. Next time we have to watch a football and cricket game together. I want to learn your game and promise me it’s going to happen.”
To a pointed question – character or skill – Guardiola revealed that for him character of a player remains more important that skills.
“We see the skills (while signing a player) but we should see the character. The character actually makes the difference — to be competitive and more hungry to be able to put the bad moments aside, when you are able to find this as much as possible in the squad you have a winner team.
“Skill is not enough to win in higher competitions. But when you buy them you don’t know them,” Guardiola said.
Fully in agreement with Guardiola’s views, Kohli, who is currently playing the IPL behind closed doors in the UAE, replied, “A lot of people don’t understand this, they look at the players’ skill but behind the scenes work how he is reacting to a certain situation when the camera is not reacting to him, is he putting in the hard yard these are the thing that go unnoticed.
“I feel that people should realise what is the reason behind selecting players who become superstars over a period of time.”
To which Guardiola responded, “It’s how you handle the pressure you know.”
“You are the best Indian player in cricket and in the right moment in the quarter final, semi-final or final you do your best and show the world you are the best and help the team to win and then scenarios become smaller and players become bigger.”