Kristofer Reyes shares a message of hope amid Coronavirus pandemic

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Kristofer Reyes with the Vikingur Olafsvik. Photo: Kristofer Reyes

The Filipino - Icelandic defender has a message for everyone during this time of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Kristofer Reyes was in the Philippines even before it had an outbreak of COVID-19. He was in Manila and was supposed to play for the Azkals Development Team (ADT) this season in the Philippines Football League (PFL). "I was with the ADT from January until middle to end of May," said the 23-year-old Reyes. 

Reyes and the ADT started the year by keeping themselves in tip-top shape in preparation for the upcoming PFL season. However, training was cut short due to  the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. The government imposed an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in response to the growing number of cases. Sporting events including games and official training sessions were suspended or cancelled.

Reyes did not take a time off as he spent the quarantine period doing workouts and drills to keep himself sharp and in game shape. " I did workout a lot in the gym as well as in my room and played around with a ball inside, doing keep-ups and simple drill," said Reyes, who spent the quarantine period in their studio apartment together with his girlfriend and ADT teammates.     

After a couple of months of quarantine in the Philippines and sensing that the COVID-19 situation will not get better anytime soon, Reyes decided to go back to Iceland. "Considering the state of the pandemic at that time, it was best that I go back to Iceland," Reyes said.

Shortly after heading back to Iceland, he received an offer to play for his childhood club Vikingur Olafsvik. "I'm currently playing for Vikingur Olafsvik which is the team where  I started my football journey since I was a kid." Vikingur Olafsvik competes in the second tier of Icelandic football and is gunning for a spot in the top division.  
                                         
Reyes playing for Vikingur Olafsvik
Reyes in action for Vikingur Olafsvik

"Football is back to a new normal here and I think we have to get used to it, but at least we are lucky to be back on the football field, " Reyes told KICK OFF PH.  As of writing, Iceland has a confirmed COVID-19 cases of 1,880  and death rate of 0.56% - one of the lowest in the world. But despite successfully containing the virus, clubs are still taking precautionary measures against COVID-19. "We don't shake hands before matches and dressing rooms are disinfected before we enter," added Reyes.  

With all the unprecedented disruptions caused by COVID-19 not just in football, but life in general, Reyes has a message for everyone going through this challenging times.   

"I just want everyone to stay safe and pray for good health. This pandemic has hurt so many people and we need to be strong together now more than ever. "  

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