By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos has been staying with his wife and son in Israel as they await for the coronavirus outbreak to pass and he finds it reassuring that he’s close to his loved ones:
“I stay with my family here because I also organized with a stock of medicines, food, masks, gloves and everything needed, so I can be home without leaving. Staying at home gives me the opportunity to be with family and it’s something I’ve been missing from my profession all these years. At least that’s a bright spot in this situation,” he said for the club’s official website.
He has his family close but not everyone has that option and he noted it’s quite different for foreigners who have to choose between traveling back home to family or stay apart:
“It’s different when you’re a foreigner living in a foreign country with or without family. If you’re alone, you have to stay home and know that family and kids are away from you and it’s not easy on the psychological aspect. That’s why there are players who have left and players with their families feel more comfortable going back to their countries and going through the crisis.”
Maccabi gave permission to its players to return to their countries but some of them decided to stay nonetheless as they feel safer in Israel. The coach also praised the authorities for being vigilant and taking all the necessary precautions:
“The situation in Israel is under control because of all the steps the government is taking. It responded quickly and controlled the situation that could expose people to the virus. Actions taken were found effective and I am pleased that nobody so far died from the disease in Israel. The health system is working really well and the doctors are doing a good job of preventing the spread of the coronavirus.”