The arguments in favour of reopening outdoor sport for children which have been put to the Stormont administration through an open letter from a group of prominent figures are powerful and must be taken seriously.
Over 50 key players, coaches and administrators from all the main sporting codes put their names to the heartfelt message which was published in full by The Irish News last week.
It urged the first and deputy first ministers to urgently consider a change of approach in the interests of protecting the physical and mental health of the younger generation during the pandemic.
The campaigners pointed out that, for more than seven months of the last year, the involvement of children in organised sporting activity has been either highly restricted or entirely prohibited.
However, they insisted that there were no confirmed transmissions of Covid-19 through participation in outdoor sport and other major European countries had been able to follow a much more flexible policy.
It will be completely accepted that we are enduring the worst public health crisis in living memory and the authorities have an overwhelming duty to enforce every regulation which helps to save lives and protect the entire community.
At the same time, the evidence that preventing our children from enjoying their chosen sports is actually contributing towards a safer society remains very much open to question.
Instead, the indications are that separating youngsters from their friends and depriving them of the opportunity to take proper outdoor exercise is having devastating consequences.
One comprehensive survey on behalf of a respected charity said that during the lockdown an astonishing one young person in every four felt `unable to cope with life.'
Our front page report today reveals equally disturbing figures about the separate but not unrelated rise in the number of children suffering from eating disorders.
The department of health has said that some regulations, including the wearing of face masks in shops and on public transport, may become a long term part of what has become known as the `new normal, but also acknowledged that a careful easing of other measures can be considered when the timing is right.
There is a clear responsibility on our political leaders to urgently explore the possibility of at least a partial resumption of children's sport as soon as is deemed appropriate.
