We're immune to it but visitors will struggle, says Shiv Kapur about Delhi air pollution
Delhi's air pollution has slowly become a major concern for most outdoor sports now with the latest one being golf after it had come to the news during last year's India-Sri Lanka series. Golfer Shiv Kapur has expressed his concerns about how the foreign players will deal with the increasing smog.
Delhi has become a torturous hell every winter in the recent past with the pollution leading the cooler air to trap harmful particles from exhaust fumes, construction dust, and industrial emissions. In May this year, WHO listed Delhi as the city to have the dirtiest air across India. While the warnings were always there, it crossed all level last season when Sri Lankan players had to warm mask while playing in Feroz Shah Kotla after players were seen throwing up on the field.
However, cricket isn’t the only sport to get victimized as leading player of Panasonic Open India, an Asian Tour event, Shiv Kapur pointed out. The 36-year-old defending champion has been of the opinion that whiles the India golfers could manage to struggle through the smog in the tournament, he was concerned about the foreign players who could face a hard time in it.Â
“You are spending five hours outdoors in bad air and smog. You are out there for a long period of time. I think for some of us, we are kind of immune to it now, but it’s not a good thing; the visitors and foreigners struggle a bit more,” said Kapur, reported AFP.Â
“I haven’t found it as bad this year as it was last year. Visibility was a bit of an issue. You feel a bit of fatigue and stuff. I am like a street dog. I am used to every kind of ailment and air quality that is out there. As sportsmen, we are made to be hardy, play in whatever course conditions, whatever weather conditions. Hopefully, we will get through without any issues.”Â
Kapur wasn’t the only one concerned with it though as Viraj Madappa, another rising Indian golfer, admitted that Delhi doesn’t have the most ideal conditions to live in.Â
“It will affect us over a long period. But I feel it’s going to be the same for everyone. Some of the Delhi guys are used to it. It’s easier to catch an infection that’s in the air. Some of my friends have got a bad throat or fever,” the 21-
