Federations
Portuguese legend, doctor Nelson Puga on the return of competitive Volleyball
Archive
Article Sat, May 23 2020
Porto, Portugal, May 23, 2020. Nelson Puga, the son of Manuel Puga, a renowned figure in sports and medicine, stood out as a Volleyball player at FC Porto, claiming more than a handful of national championship titles and Portuguese Cup crowns as well. He was the first player to reach 100 international caps for the Portuguese national team, retiring after totalling more than 150 appearances with Team Portugal. Now aged 60, he is a renowned doctor, responsible for the national Volleyball teams of Portugal as well as for FC Porto men’s senior football team, the club that is closest to his heart.
Do you believe that the minimum conditions are there for the return to competition? What is essential for that to happen?
Yes, I believe that in the short / medium term there are conditions to resume training and competitions, at least in Portugal. We need a contingency plan with a proposal of adaptation to the current circumstances. Obviously, the Government and in particular the General Directorate of Health (DGS) have to discuss and approve any such plan in first instance. The main measures should include the general protection recommendations for this pandemic, such as the mandatory use of masks in closed spaces (with the exception of athletes while performing their activity) and creating distance rules. Moreover, we shall implement rigid rules for disinfecting / cleaning spaces, monitoring temperature and symptoms at the entrance of the halls, more measures for disinfection / hand washing, place alcohol / disinfectant gel dispensers in more areas and turn off the air conditioning, thus opting for natural air circulation.
Nelson Puga during his competitive years with FC Porto in a picture shot in 1987
What are the biggest similarities / differences between the risks resulting from practicing football and Volleyball in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The risks are similar and low, in my opinion. On the one hand, smaller because in Volleyball there is still less physical contact and, on the other, slightly larger because indoor Volleyball is practiced in closed halls. However, taking into account the criteria defined by the DGS for risk contacts with an infected population, we can consider that risk contacts in this sport, such as in football, are low because they only occur for a few seconds and in most cases spaced more 1.5 metres away.
As a health professional, what advice / message would you give to Volleyball players at this time of uncertainty?
They should follow the protection instructions; moreover, they can serve as an example of compliance and civic duty for society and they should always wear masks in closed spaces / public places, maintaining social isolation and distancing with strangers, washing or disinfecting their hands frequently and promoting good hygiene of all places and surfaces where they live.
Nelson Puga in another picture from a few years ago
Portuguese Volleyball rose to prominence, among other things, with the victory in the Challenger Cup and subsequent return to the Nations League, and with the qualification for the EuroVolley Men and Women in 2019. Moreover, the return of Sporting CP (men) and FC Porto (women) to indoor Volleyball, as well as the return of the Beach Volleyball World Tour through the Espinho Open are additional milestones. As a former international and one of the greatest figures of FC Porto in the sport, what are your thoughts about the evolution of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball in recent years?
I see it as a positive progression in the quality of Volleyball, its competitive level and its social interest. The sport is more professional, so with better sportive performances, with more visibility and more impact on society. I am very happy to see that Volleyball is having such a positive evolution!
Do you believe that the minimum conditions are there for the return to competition? What is essential for that to happen?
Yes, I believe that in the short / medium term there are conditions to resume training and competitions, at least in Portugal. We need a contingency plan with a proposal of adaptation to the current circumstances. Obviously, the Government and in particular the General Directorate of Health (DGS) have to discuss and approve any such plan in first instance. The main measures should include the general protection recommendations for this pandemic, such as the mandatory use of masks in closed spaces (with the exception of athletes while performing their activity) and creating distance rules. Moreover, we shall implement rigid rules for disinfecting / cleaning spaces, monitoring temperature and symptoms at the entrance of the halls, more measures for disinfection / hand washing, place alcohol / disinfectant gel dispensers in more areas and turn off the air conditioning, thus opting for natural air circulation.
Nelson Puga during his competitive years with FC Porto in a picture shot in 1987
What are the biggest similarities / differences between the risks resulting from practicing football and Volleyball in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The risks are similar and low, in my opinion. On the one hand, smaller because in Volleyball there is still less physical contact and, on the other, slightly larger because indoor Volleyball is practiced in closed halls. However, taking into account the criteria defined by the DGS for risk contacts with an infected population, we can consider that risk contacts in this sport, such as in football, are low because they only occur for a few seconds and in most cases spaced more 1.5 metres away.
As a health professional, what advice / message would you give to Volleyball players at this time of uncertainty?
They should follow the protection instructions; moreover, they can serve as an example of compliance and civic duty for society and they should always wear masks in closed spaces / public places, maintaining social isolation and distancing with strangers, washing or disinfecting their hands frequently and promoting good hygiene of all places and surfaces where they live.
Nelson Puga in another picture from a few years ago
Portuguese Volleyball rose to prominence, among other things, with the victory in the Challenger Cup and subsequent return to the Nations League, and with the qualification for the EuroVolley Men and Women in 2019. Moreover, the return of Sporting CP (men) and FC Porto (women) to indoor Volleyball, as well as the return of the Beach Volleyball World Tour through the Espinho Open are additional milestones. As a former international and one of the greatest figures of FC Porto in the sport, what are your thoughts about the evolution of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball in recent years?
I see it as a positive progression in the quality of Volleyball, its competitive level and its social interest. The sport is more professional, so with better sportive performances, with more visibility and more impact on society. I am very happy to see that Volleyball is having such a positive evolution!