Water polo leagues in several European countries have been postponed in the last few months, and the restart of the season is still uncertain.
At least one European country won’t get a new champion this year. There will be no official matches in Belgium until the end of the season.
The Belgian Swimming Federation (FRBN) has canceled all national water polo competitions in the 2020/21 season.
The Belgian Super League started in September. In October, the championship was put on hold. After a long wait, the Federation decided to cancel all the national competitions because it is impossible to organize the leagues in the current circumstances, caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“On the recommendation of the National Water Polo Sports Commission and following several digital consultations with water polo clubs, the Administrative Body of the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation decided on February 2 to definitively cease all national water polo competitions and the championships in all divisions and age categories of the 2020-2021 water polo season.
Because of the difficult availability of swimming pools as well as the lack of everyday activities (i.e. training and sports preparation), it is no longer appropriate and feasible to prepare or further organize official national water polo competitions regularly and in an equivalent manner,” the FRBN announced today.
“As soon as the COVID-19 measures allow it, the FRBN advises to organize still – as far as possible – tournaments and friendly matches by mutual agreement between the water polo clubs to maintain the commitment among the water polo clubs and in water polo sport. Finally, it was decided to transfer the registration fees for the 2020-2021 water polo season, already paid by most clubs, to the next 2021/2022 season.
However, we are hopeful that we will be able to start the usual preparations for the next 2021/2022 water polo season from June 1.”, the Federation concluded in the statement
