Haze forces sports coaches to cancel lessons, lose income

Sports coaches are facing mounting financial losses as transboundary haze continues to disrupt their livelihoods, with cancellations and facility closures leaving them without income during peak work periods.

The sporadic nature of air quality readings has created significant planning challenges for coaching professionals across South and Southeast Asia. When air quality deteriorates, outdoor venues shut down and clients cancel sessions, but the temporary nature of haze events makes it difficult for coaches to schedule makeup classes or secure indoor alternatives.

Many facilities operate on strict capacity limits during poor air quality days, further restricting coaching opportunities. This unpredictability has forced coaches to lose potential earnings while unable to commit to rescheduling, as they cannot reliably forecast when conditions will improve.

The situation particularly affects freelance and contract-based coaches who lack the financial cushion of permanent positions. Without guaranteed income during haze periods, many face difficulty covering operational costs and personal expenses.

Coaches have called for greater flexibility from clients and facility operators, as well as clearer communication about air quality thresholds that trigger closures, to help them better plan their schedules and mitigate financial losses during recurring haze episodes.