One of Canada’s largest hockey tournaments is losing some of its teams to concerns about the coronavirus.
So far, nine teams from Kashechewan, Attawapiskat and Fort Albany have pulled out of the tournament set for the March Break at 14 different venues in Mississauga.
Closer to home, Nelson Toulouse from Sagamok-Anishnawbek First Nation is suggesting a meeting with parents and band council to review the situation and decide if they are going to send their teams.
Whitefish River First Nation Chief Franklin Paibomsai says their teams are going since precautions are in place.
Manitoulin Island’s M’Chigeeng Chief Linda Debassige is calling for the tournament to be cancelled.
However, organizers say they have been in touch with local health providers in Mississauga and have been told the risk is low, so the tournament will go ahead.
Originally, 228 teams were to converge in the Peel region for the tournament, which begins this Sunday.
At 4:30 p.m. Monday, a conference call was held between the Little NHL Executive, host committee members from Nipissing First Nation and the City of Mississauga to discuss options related to proceeding with Little NHL 2020. All parties involved agreed that given the World Health Organization, Public Health Ontario and the Region of Peel have all determined the risk of transmission to be low, the tournament will proceed as scheduled.
“After careful consideration and review of information from Public Health Ontario and other credible health authorities, we have determined to move ahead with the tournament,” stated Marian Jacko, President of LNHL. “Nipissing First Nation has taken all reasonable precautions to inform participants and coaches about preventive measures, and the City of Mississauga will be taking additional measures with cleaning at all the public facilities,” she added.
Given there are no major concerns or cancellations of other large events in the Greater Toronto Area, the committee felt confident that this event could go forward with minimal risk.
“We realize there are concerns with people bringing the virus back to their communities, but given there have been no locally transmitted cases and the three travel-related cases in the Peel region are contained and under quarantine, we feel the risk is minimal of anyone contracting COVID-19,” said Chief Scott McLeod.
“We have so much messaging going out through the teams and at the facilities that I think everyone will be well aware of what they need to do to stay safe from any kind of virus or common illness. This is a local event, not an international event where people are coming in from all different parts of the world so I am very confident everyone will be able to relax and enjoy the week once they arrive. I am very excited to see our many friends and relations next week,” Chief McLeod added.
Both the Little NHL and Nipissing First Nation websites have links to obtain additional public health information and the public are encouraged to review this before the tournament.
