Fanciers, strategists, and masters of the wing, listen up. We are on the doorstep of what should be the greatest season of the century, but the reality is raw and unfiltered. While motivation in the lofts is reaching a fever pitch, the sport is being held hostage by an invisible enemy and a bureaucratic minefield. The situation in the Rees (Kreis Kleve) region is the final straw.
Netherlands on Lockdown: A Nation in the Waiting Room
Let’s address the elephant in the room head-on: The Netherlands is bolted shut. Due to recent outbreaks, a general transport ban is in effect, paralyzing the entire national pigeon sport. No training tosses, no basketing, no movement. Our athletes are locked in their champion quarters while their wings scream for the thermals.
The federations (NPO and FCI) are currently fighting a heroic battle behind the scenes. They are working relentlessly on protocols, compartmentalization, and solutions to convince the government that our sport is safe, controlled, and professional. We aren’t begging for permission; we are demanding recognition for the elite sport we practice.
The Iron Curtain at Rees
As if the national lockdown wasn’t enough, an extra heavy bolt has been slammed shut by our neighbors in Kreis Kleve. The region around Rees has officially been declared a forbidden zone.
The 10km Suffocation: A circle has been drawn around the outbreak in Rees where not a single feather is allowed to move. For the Dutch “East Line,” this is a vital artery being squeezed shut.
German Inflexibility: The German Association (Brieftaube.de) is enforcing iron discipline. Transport trucks that normally enter Germany via this route are now facing an absolute release ban and GPS monitoring.
The Clock is Ticking: The Season Waits for No One
The start of the season is truly just around the corner. The young birds are ready, the widowers are razor-sharp, and the clocks are synchronized. Every day we lose on the ground now is a day we’ll have to make up later in the season in terms of condition and rhythm.
Let’s hope the diplomacy of our federations tips the scales. A solution must come, and it must come now. We aren’t hobbyists kicking a ball in the park; we manage athletes with generations of elite-sport DNA in their blood.
“A champion is forged in winter but proven in battle. The 2026 battle begins this year not in the skies, but at the negotiation table.”
The Boss Verdict
Keep your heads up and your lofts sterile. The pressure is high, the situation is tense, but the passion for the pigeon is indestructible. The moment that transport ban is lifted and the gap in the border at Rees opens, we must be ready. No excuses, only results.
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Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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