Local sports clubs are closing their doors to combat infection rates in the coronavirus pandemic.
Closures follow the postponement of the Premier League due to concerns about players and fans in large crowds. The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, tested positive for the coronavirus last Friday.
All other professional sporting events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future – most recently the British Boxing Board of Control suspended all boxing shows until 23 April, including a Matchroom show at the 02 on 26 March that involved Islington’s encouraging prospect Sam Cox.
The European Championship which was being held across Europe to celebrate UEFA’s 60th anniversary was also postponed until 2021 yesterday and will take place from June 11 until July 11.
Reggie Hagland, manager of Islington boxing club, said: “We were going to have a big show in May but due to the current outbreak we will probably have to cancel unless things change dramatically. We have to take things day by day.”
Nicholas Tewson, chairman of Finsbury Park rugby club, said: “Given the announcements today [Boris Johnson’s coronavirus update] unfortunately we will have to cancel our games this weekend and probably for the foreseeable future.”
Lanna Mixed Martial Arts released a statement saying: “Unfortunately all local shows have been cancelled until further notice. We apologise to anyone that had made plans, but due to the current situation people’s health takes priority.”
The president of Curve Ultimate Frisbee, Rob Dover, said: “Just yesterday we heard that the tournament we were going to at the end of March in Cardiff is cancelled. We intend to keep running our training because our sport is played in big outdoor spaces where there shouldn’t be as much risk, but we will have to keep monitoring and take onboard further advice.”
The Head of Arsenal football, Raul Sanllehi, reassured all fans and staff in a statement. He said:“Mikel and the full first- team squad, players and staff, will be fully supported, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows. Obviously, Mikel’s full recovery is the priority now for us all.”
Highbury Fields park run, which takes place every Saturday at 9am, will be suspended indefinitely. Parkrun organisers said: “Following the government advice and public guidelines, we are suspending events in Eswatini, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, and the UK from this weekend until further notice.”
The UK’s popular gym chain ‘PureGym’ will remain open. In a statement to all their customers, they said: “The UK Government encouraged that people continue to exercise while instructing everyone that we all take precautions to observe social distancing rules.
“All PureGym clubs therefore remain open and we are writing to update you on the additional steps we are now taking for our members and colleagues to observe new disciplines with respect to social distancing.”
In Monday’s coronavirus update, Boris Johnson told citizens to avoid going to pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues. He has also urged people to self-isolate and if you have symptoms you should stay at home for at least 14 days.
Islington is currently subject to 29 cases out of a population of 215,667, but it has been warned by government officials and Islington council that this will increase exponentially if immediate action is not taken in the borough.
