The former Hong Kong Airlines pilot helping city’s kayakers navigate through Covid-19 for Asian Games spot
- With both on-water and in-gym training scrapped by government, the city’s best paddlers must make up for lost time before Hangzhou 2022
- Peter Matus, a former Hungarian junior national team member, is now head coach of Hong Kong squad
Peter Matus is already months into his official role as Hong Kong kayaking head coach – but his team have barely touched the water because of continuing Covid-19 restrictions.
The former Hungarian junior national team member knows all about the perils of the pandemic, having had his contract as a pilot with Hong Kong Airlines not renewed last year.
Now, his task is to help guide the city’s still-green kayakers to the 2022 Asian Games in September. His more than 40 years’ experience in the sport certainly helps.
Nine months may seem a sufficient window for plans to peak in Hangzhou, but land-based training and gym-work can only take them so far.
“Of course, our path has been interrupted by these new measures,” Matus said, calling the lack of government dispensation for professional sports teams “sad”.
“It’s a shame, because every day you miss work is a day out the window. We’re trying to do all we can, but you need the proper equipment which nobody has at home.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it, but it’s time to wake up and accept that it might be longer than [first thought].”