Every professional team should have a psychologist: Daren Sammy on challenges due to coronavirus restrictions

Sport has resumed in several parts of the globe but it’s not the same anymore in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. With more emphasis on safety, we are witnessing social distancing on and off the field, empty stands and biosecure bubbles to make sure the show goes on without major setbacks due to the deadly virus.

While watching live sport is being seen as a stress-buster in these tough times, it’s not as glitzy as it looks for the athletes. Mental health, given the fear around the virus, is in the spotlight as the sporting world is slowly adapting to the new normal.

Biosecure bubbles wherein players are confined to hotel rooms for several weeks, restricted from physical contact with the outside world, is becoming the norm. Isolation periods, frequent Covid-19 tests and the need to adhere to umpteen rules on and off the field can certainly be daunting and stressful even for professional athletes.

Several voices in the sports fraternity have already highlighted that the new normal isn’t all rosy for the athletes.

West Indies captain Jason Holder had spoken about players getting ‘mentally worn out’ during their stint in bio-bubbles in England. Concerns have reportedly come from the UAE where cricket superstars are gearing up for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Australia, who landed in England for their limited-overs series, are getting its first taste of the restrictions as they are in quarantine in the UK.

At this juncture, every professional team must make it compulsory to have a psychologist on tour, says T20 World Cup-winning former West Indies captain Daren Sammy in an exclusive interaction with indiatoday.in.

The St Lucia Zouks skipper, who is in Trinidad and Tobago for Caribbean Premier League (CPL), said the captain can make sure his players are motivated but a mental-health specialist among the support staff will be the right way forward.

“Not only the captain, the role of the management staff.. I think now it will be compulsory or very important for a psychologist on tour because mental health is something, as it is something we take for granted,” Daren Sammy said.

“If somebody talks about mental health, people, sometimes, say they are probably ‘weak’. Especially now, with this isolation in place, you have to consider the mental state of athletes.

“My job, as captain, is to keep the guys motivated and keep them in good state of mind. I think people who specialise in these areas of mental health should be with every professional team, especially now.”

Adhering to safety protocols a sign of respect: Sammy

Sammy says it’s paramount for players and support staff to adhere to protocols in the bio-bubble, saying it’s a mark of respect to ‘teammates and opponents’.

“The bubble is our safe haven and adhering to the safety protocols means showing respect to your teammates and opponents. Everyone should respect that it is for the safety of us all and do whatever we have to; to keep it secure,” Sammy said.

“It is important to have cricket but in the safest way possible. The fact that cricket is being played is a plus. The authorities are taking safety measures to ensure that we all play in a safe environment.”

Why not? Sammy on T20 World Cup plans

With 4 wins from 6 games, St Lucia Zouks are currently at the second spot of the 6-team CPL 2020 table and are well-placed to qualify for the semi-finals.

While Sammy is delighted to be back, playing cricket after the long break due to the pandemic, he sees CPL as a potential vehicle to return to the West Indies T20I side in the lead up to next year’s T20 World Cup.

“Being at home confined, not being able to practice and train, and now to be able to showcase our talent for a cause is an exciting prospect, Sammy said.

“What I see from us coming here is that (there’s) young men just eager to showcase their talent. Yes, there are no superstars but the way we have gelled together off the field it could play a big part. I am confident that we could do much better than previous seasons.

“Right now my focus is on St Lucia Zouks. CPL is a good platform for getting selected in the West Indies team. If I put in some good performances, why not [T20 World Cup selection]?”