The KBL match was held without a mask after 1066 days.
The 2022-2023 SKT A-Dot Professional Basketball Goyang Carrot and Seoul Samsung 4th round confrontation held at the Goyang Gymnasium on the 30th. This day was the first game held after the COVID-19 government quarantine guidelines were eased. As quarantine guidelines were eased, the wearing of masks by spectators and coaching staff has changed from mandatory to recommended. Simply put, it means that you don’t have to wear a mask on the basketball court anymore.
It is the first time since the match between Anyang KGC and Goyang Orion (currently Goyang Carrot) was held on February 29, 2020, that the KBL match was held with no mask. Calculated by the date, it has been 1066 days. At the time, the match was played behind closed doors, but wearing a mask was not compulsory.
Samsung coach Eun Hee-seok, whom we met before the game, said, “Actually, I was very frustrated during that time. I also had skin problems because I was constantly wearing a mask. The players couldn’t understand me well because I couldn’t see the shape of my mouth during operation time. Now I can communicate more actively.”
Director Carrot Kim Seung-gi also said, “It was very difficult. The players couldn’t understand my words because they couldn’t see my mouth. I think I can do it comfortably now. It was good that I couldn’t see the shape of my mouth even when I cursed alone, but I think I have to be careful now.”
As game time approached, fans not wearing masks were noticed throughout the stands. They freely ate and drank, and had a more comfortable conversation with the person next to them. Carrot’s cheerleaders also performed without masks. There were a lot of intense movements, so I had trouble breathing, but now I don’t have to worry about that. 메이저놀이터
Lee Si-hoo (33), who visited the gym that day, said, “The basketball court was hot, but I remember always feeling hotter because of the mask. Now that I can take off the mask, I’m not frustrated, so it’s great.”
Carrot cheerleader Jo Da-jeong said, “The cheer team will take off their masks and perform from today (31st). In fact, it’s still awkward. I think I need to manage my facial expressions well now (laughs). In the second half of the game, there were a lot of cheerleading performances, so I was out of breath. I think breathing will be easier now.”
But not all were no-masks. A large number of fans wearing masks stood out in the stands, and the scorer and supervisor in the scorer’s seat were all wearing masks. Samsung coach Kim Bo-hyun was the only coach on both teams to wear a mask throughout the game.
One fan, who requested anonymity, said, “I’m still a little anxious. Corona 19 confirmed cases are steadily coming out around you. Isn’t a basketball court a place where a lot of people gather? I plan to continue wearing a mask for the time being.”