India’s World-Cup winning mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton believes that this pandemic-ridden sports world is going to be tough for financially weaker cricketers who don’t have the option to pull out of tournaments and are forced to play even when they don’t feel the situation to be normal.
“I feel most sorry for those players who are not financially well off. They have to dig deep and realize that ‘I have to be here to make money’ and it will take a toll on their mental health,” Indian Express quoted Upton as saying.
South Africa born further listed the kind of things that could happen to players who stay and play in bio-bubble conditions, away from their families. “There will be those who wouldn’t be able to manage the situation very well. They can lose motivation, self-discipline, and stop exercising. They can overheat, get up late, and put on weight. It also can be too much internet, TV, or social media in an effort to numb themselves and try to run away from the experience,” he said.
He said that lucky cricketers are those who have reserve finances to support them. On being asked what can help players staying in the bubble to maintain a good mind-body balance, the 52-year-old suggested, “They need to have a productive, proactive building block in their life that is away from cricket. Putting on the video to learn dancing can be a simple exercise.”
“What is so important is they find activities away from cricket where they can get a good experience. It could be some success or learning,” he further added.
The coach, however, warned against the use of excessive social media or gaming saying, “By indoor activity, I don’t mean getting good at PlayStation and Xbox or spending more time on social media.”
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