Macao Sports : Acting Together Against COVID-19
To fight against the global outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, the Sports Bureau of the Macao Government took varied measures in different phases of the pandemic such that the citizens' health was top priority. The Bureau and sports world as a whole acted together to firmly fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with citizens.
Gradual Resumption of Training
The pandemic grounded Macao sports for almost a month since Spring Festival. During this period, the Sports Bureau appealed to the public to comply with preventive measures and exchanged ideas with all sports federations for plans to address the suspension and cancellation of games. As the pandemic in Macao started stabilizing, a gradual restart of training was approved by the Bureau on February 29. In the first phase, training of 13 sports was resumed, including swimming, triathlon, cycling, athletics, judo, karate, taekwondo, wushu, dance sport, table tennis, bowling, badminton and squash. Elite athletes with scheduled games have been given priority to resume training first. More players in other sports and levels will also slowly recommence training in accordance with the guidance of the SAR government.
Discussion over future work
All parties in Macao sports have joint hands to fight against the pandemic and to arrange future work. People and media from Macao sports world sat in a meeting on March 4 to discuss issues related to athlete support and reopening of sports venues with Pun Weng Kun, President of the Bureau. President Pun referred to athletes as the treasure of Macao sports and said that more resources should be invested for athletes to catch up and get back into form. In the meantime, the Bureau said it would discuss on special plans of more games for players after the pandemic under this special situation.
International Dragon Boat Races to be held as scheduled
In terms of the arrangement of annual major events, Macao Women's Sports Festival scheduled in March and Wushu Masters Challenge scheduled in May were cancelled, while Macao International Dragon Boat Races 2020 will be held during Dragon Boat Festival as scheduled. In accordance with public health regulations during this pandemic, the Organizing Committee will implement a set of measures, including inviting no teams from outside Macao and putting an upper limit to the team number. The number of participants will reduce by around 1000 even if all the spots are filled to reduce flow. Flow control will also be implemented in both competition and viewing area. All the people present including players, audiences and staff will have their body temperature checked, show the Macao health QR code and wear a mask before entering the venue.
Full Support for Players
The Sports Bureau has already formed related plans for the resumption of sports work after the pandemic. Major sports events are planned to be held to encourage public participation in sports when the outbreak is fully contained. Special measures are taken to provide full support to athletes and prepare for the next Arafura Games, Universiade, Asian Youth Games, Asian Winter Games, National Games of the People's Republic of China, the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games and Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The Bureau also plans to enhance regional cooperation after the pandemic.
Gradual opening of venues
Keeping in mind the virus containment and people's need for sports, the Sports Bureau reopened partial venues in the Public Sports Facilities Network in March. Lin Fong Sports Centre, Olympic Sports Centre – Stadium, tennis schools and other athletics and tennis venues were reopened on March 2. Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion, Tamagnini Barbosa Sports Centre, Olympic Sports Centre, Taipa Northeast Sports Centre, Cheoc-Van Nautical Centre, Hac-Sa Nautical Centre and other table tennis, badminton and nautical venues opened again on March 11.
