The organization of the Saint-Hyacinthe Pee-Wee Tournament, one of the largest in Quebec, has decided to cancel the event which was to be held from January 6 to 16, due to government restrictions related to COVID -19.
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“We do not know if the measures will last two weeks or a month. We can not invest sums of money without knowing if the tournament will take place, “regretted Friday the president of the tournament, Lucien Beauregard, which was to host 86 teams.
To curb the rise in cases of COVID-19, the government of Quebec announced Thursday the suspension of tournaments and sports competitions. This measure will be effective Monday.
Tournaments sanctioned by Hockey Quebec took a break for the holiday season, the organization said on Friday.
But not knowing exactly when those restrictions will end, the organizers of several events scheduled to be held earlier this year have heartbreaking decisions to make.
“We were supposed to start on January 6. I couldn’t wait too long, pointed out Mr. Beauregard. It is of value to the children, the parents, our volunteers, but there is nothing I can do about it. “
Mr. Beauregard estimates that his organization will incur losses of approximately $ 15,000.
Friday noon, Yanick Boulet, head of the Cowansville Atom Tournament, was still wondering what would happen to his event, which is due to start on January 3.
“We put a lot of hours into it and we see that professionals can play without spectators. But the young people who pay cannot, ”he regretted.
A relief in Magog
In Magog, where the Challenge Kia (bantam and midget categories) will be held until tomorrow, Ghyslain Héroux admits to having sighed with relief when he learned that the measures would not have an impact on the conclusion of the tournament.
“We are very lucky under the circumstances,” admitted the general manager of Hockey Magog. There are teams that were arriving [vendredi] morning and who were afraid! “
No changes in Quebec
As for the Quebec Peewee Tournament, which is to be held from February 9 to 20, general manager Patrick Dom let the Newspaper that it “was not canceled”.
The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, is “crossing his fingers” so that the event can take place. Sanitary constraints are not the responsibility of the City, he agrees.
“Are there things we can do that could help him?” If that’s the case, we’ll listen to it and we’ll see if we can act, ”he said of Mr. Dom.
The national director of public health, Horacio Arruda, told the microphone of FM93 on Friday that the limit of 25 people on sports facilities would undoubtedly be readjusted. – With the collaboration of Stéphanie Martin