Although there have already been more than 3,000 cases of coronavirus infection in Belarus, the country's highest football league continues unabated.
This decision allows the country's football league to enjoy increased popularity, as it is arguably the only league in Europe still continuing its championship.
Belarusian Minister of Sports and Tourism, Sergei Kovalchuk, speaking to ESPN, stated that the country has not succumbed to the panic caused by the virus, and ongoing sports events help people distract themselves from the situation.
"We monitor and evaluate the situation not every day, but every few hours. Let's be open, at this time nobody in the world can accurately say how to best deal with the situation.
Should everything be closed, or should championships continue? Is truly suspending all competitions the only correct solution? Or perhaps these decisions were made hastily and driven by panic?
We believe that football and ice hockey can help people avoid depression and divert their attention from this crisis. Time will tell if our decision was the right one," said S. Kovalchuk.
Although matches in our neighboring country continue, some teams' fans have already begun boycotting the games. Nevertheless, S. Kovalchuk is convinced that the players' motivation remains high.
"It's certainly not easy for the players to play when the stands are empty, but they understand why it is so.
Footballers know that their performances on television and the internet are being watched by many people at this time, which gives them additional motivation," added the Minister of Sports and Tourism of Belarus.
