Coronavirus Lockdown: Players must use this time to get fit, says Moin

ISLAMABAD: The 1992 Worl­d Cup winning team wicketkeeper Moin Khan believes that an active athlete can make the best use of isolation period by emerging even fitter and ready for international commitments when the lockdown is over.

Talking to ‘The News’ Moin said the athletes should grab this opportunity to keep themselves even fitter and more energetic.

“Look like every Muslim, I have a firm belief that Almighty Allah will help us come out of this lockdown and will help us overcome virus pandemic. I suggest to all those national and international athletes including cricketers to make the best use of these days and work even harder on their fitness.

“With very little to do staying at home, the time should be diverted to make themselves physically fit. They can do that by following the guidelines of respective boards, federations and experts. Majority of players who have trained previously with experts know what to do and how to make themselves fit. What however is required is to devote maximum time for the purpose.”

The Quetta Gladiators’ head coach said Babar Azam’s recent video was worth watching. “Babar’s fitness video and some of other experts’ clips appeared on social media are very informative as what to do while staying at home. Since these leading cricketers have already been told as what to do to stay fit and ready, they use the right and prescribed fitness technique. All others should follow experts.”

Moin called on the cricketers to follow government and Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) instructions on keeping distance and following the lockdown. “Though every citizen’s life is important, our athletes and cricketers are precious commodities. They should make sure they keep distance and follow all the guidelines set forth by the government and concerned authorities.”

To a question on his activities in a period of lockdown, the former Pakistan captain said his academy and other cricket activities had come down to standstill.

“Like every Pakistani and of course others around the world, I am restricted to home for most of the time. I am also utilizing this time helping my son Azam Khan in his effort to get trimmer and fitter. “Since I am also a professional coach, my fitness is also important. I am making efforts to stay fit by devoting maximum time to fitness while training on all available spaces within the house premises.”

The former chief selector also has a grocery business to monitor. “I have a grocery stores’ chain and sometime I have to go out to monitor as what is happening there.”

Moin also hoped seeing the ultimate winner of the Pakistan Super League V. “I am hopeful that the winner would emerge on the completion of the remaining matches. We all pray and hope that these tough days would be over soon. No one not even the PCB can do anything on this till the time things get better.”

The former national team manager admitted that these were testing times for sports. “Whether it is domestic or international cricket, these days are tough. But we hope better days would emerge where we would be in a position to see the busiest days in sports. I am optimistic that these days are just around.”