Mental, physical health front of mind for sports clubs operating as Omicron spreads
CTV
It's a game of chance for thousands of Albertans playing group sports as the Omicron COVID-19 variant rips through the province.
It's a game of chance for thousands of Albertans playing group sports as the Omicron COVID-19 variant rips through the province.
But some sports and recreation organizations say operating tournaments and leagues as safely as possible is worth the risk to support players' mental and physical health.
Both Calgary and Edmonton are hosting separate hockey tournaments this week with about 600 teams each and a new season of adult recreational leagues - with tens of thousands of players - is set to kick off.
"This season will likely be our most challenging just due to the speed at which Omicron is spreading in the province," said Jon Diment, program manager of the Calgary Sports and Social Club.
"There is inevitably going to be more players out there who will have (COVID-19) compared to the fall or summer season."
There are now over 61,000 active COVID-19 cases in Alberta but Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, has said those case numbers are low and the actual infections are likely 10 times higher.
Diment said the club had no trouble selling out its various co-ed leagues for the upcoming winter season, set to begin Monday.
