Denmark: Footballer dies at 29

Christian Eriksen was 'gone' after suffering an on-field cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener, a doctor who helped save him says (msn.com)

Indonesia: Shuttler dead at 36 due to heart attack

Olympic gold medallist shuttler Markis Kido passes away at age 36 after suffering heart attack (msn.com)

Pakistan: Former Cricketer is now a Cab Driver

 The Tragic Tale of Arshad Khan: Former Pakistan Cricketer to Now Cab Driver (msn.com)

Japan: Sumo Wrestler Dies at 28 With Covid-19

In Japan, a 28-year-old sumo wrestler has from the Coronavirus. 

The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) confirmed the death and identified the wrestler as Shobushi, whose real name was Kiyotaka Suetake. The association said he died of multiple-organ failure. He is reported to have been the first sumo wrestler to die from the virus, and the first person in his 20s to die in Japan from Covid-19. [News reference]

While the demise is sad; at the same time the young age of the deceased wrestler makes us wonder about the health of Sumo Wrestlers who put on so much weight for the fight. Coronavirus is known to turn fatal for those who are obese or who have got heart related problems or Diabetes. 

I would request Japanese government to get a neutral health assessment of Sumo wrestlers done and try to find out if this professional sports is actually harming the health of the wrestlers. 

Such a risk is one more example of why I am against professional and commercial sports. 

Sourav Ganguli and Jay Shah Go to Supreme Court, Trying to Remain in Power at BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to go to Supreme Court asking for relaxation in rules in order to ensure that its current President Sourav Ganguli and Secretary Jay Shah could remain holding their chair. [News reference]

The BCCI has asked the Supreme Court to relax the "cooling off period" which came into force with Lodha Committee recommendations. Along with this, BCCI is also seeking approval for some of the changes it has made in its constitution in Oct'2019.

According to the current rules, both Sourav Ganguli and Jay Shah have to resign and BCCI is trying to avoid this. It is a clear case of selfish interest, since the BCCI President and Secretary are trying to bypass rules and keep holding power. This is what all the politicians try to do too - try to remain in power by hooks or by crooks. 

I think the Supreme Court should cancel the BCCI petition and ask the BCCI to strictly maintain the rules. Otherwise if Supreme Court allows dilution of rules, the situation will become worse than before and all the reforms would go into dustbin. 

U-19 ICC World Cup Final: Abusive Behavior by Bangladesh Team

Today, Bangladesh team defeated Indian team in U-19 ICC World Cup. But what happened during and after the match was shocking for all sports enthusiasts (Ref). Bangladesh U19 team showed unwanted aggression which nearly resulted into a free for all after the team won the U-19 ICC World Cup.

The Bangladesh players were overtly aggressive while fielding with their lead pacer Shoriful Islam sledging the Indian batsmen after every delivery. In fact as Bangladesh approached the winning runs, Shoriful was seen swearing multiple times openly on camera.

As soon as the match ended, it became tense with Bangladeshi players rushing to the ground and most of them still displaying aggressive body language. In fact, one India player rushed to confront and pushed a Bangladeshi player who had allegedly said uncharitable things and it was coach Paras Mhambrey seen calming his boys.

BD skipper Akbar showed maturity at the post-match conference by saying, "Some of our bowlers were emotional and were pumped up. What happened after the game was unfortunate. I would like to congratulate India."

Such physical aggression and abusive language should be condemned. I have spoken against India's own captain Virat Kohli who often uses abusive language on the ground and I don't think any regulatory body has done enough to stop this menace. Small kids look at these sports icons as their "role models" and what is the message they are trying to give by such behavior?

Beyond a point, such behavior also indicates that the competitive nature of the professional sports results in such behavior. This is why I am against competitive professional sports at large.

- Rahul

Cricketers Taking Sabbatical from Cricket due to Mental Health Issues

Aryaman Birla, who was part of Rajasthan Royals till the last IPL season, has said that he is taking an indefinite break from cricket owing 'to severe anxiety related to the sport'. He added that he persevered to keep playing till now but the time has come to put his mental health above everything else. [News]

"I've felt trapped. I've pushed myself through all the distress so far, but now I feel the need to put my mental health and wellbeing above all else."

"And so, I've decided to take an undefined sabbatical from cricket. This lovely sport is an integral part of my life and I hope to be back on the field when the time is right."

Aryaman's sabbatical comes two months after Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell stepped away from cricket citing mental health issues. Since then, many cricketers have opened up about their struggles, taking time away from the game to deal with their issues.

Australia's Nic Maddinson and Will Pucovski had also announced breaks from international cricket to deal with their mental issues and got support from Cricket Australia.

This trend shows the other side of Cricket which media does not tell about. Professional competitive sports takes huge toll on the mental health of players. This is one reason why I am against professional sports and wish media and society should also think about its wrong side instead of just focusing on the positives and creating an illusion where sports and sportspersons are glamorized; all because sports is a big business.