KAUNAS (Lithuania) - Mantas Kalnietis would rather be playing basketball right now but the COVID-19 pandemic has brought an early and unexpected end to the season.

So like players all over the world, Kalnietis is back home and working out on his own to remain in shape, so that when basketball is played again, he'll be ready.

Only Kalnietis is doing more than that.

The long-time Lithuania national team guard and current captain is one of more than 3,000 people donating his time to "Strong Together", a volunteer organization in Lithuania.

Kalnietis, 33, wakes up every day and goes for a 6 km run in his hometown of Kaunas. He then carries food to the needy, those that can't leave home during the coronavirus crisis.

"Even if I can't get out of the house for some of the usual activities, I can still help with something," he explained to 15min.lt. 

Kalnietis says he is one of many basketball players who are trying to help others during the pandemic. Some donate money while others give time.

"My goal is not for people to see me," he said. "I want to help. Of course, if seeing me gives them joy, then good. But the most important thing is to carry out the mission."

Kalnietis played for Lithuania in late February during the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers

The pandemic has in many ways turned the world upside down. In many cities, residents are in lockdown and not allowed to leave their homes.

Immediately after his return to Kaunas, Kalnietis went into self isolation for two weeks. He read the Rorbert Louis Stevenson's classic, Treasure Island, and also watched some television. It was while doing the latter that he learned about "Strong Together".

"It's like getting two birds with one stone. You keep yourself busy and you also help those in need," Kalnietis said. 

"With no basketball action, you need to find something to do. I'm generally not one of those people who like to show off. But I don't see anything wrong with this being publicized either. Perhaps, some people will follow my example and join the initiative too."

Kalnietis has been volunteering to help those in need (Photo: Skirmante Palcinskaite)

Kalnietis, the rest of Lithuania's national team and all the fans in the basketball-mad Baltic nation were also gearing for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to take place in Kaunas in June, but that, too, is set to be postponed.

Had Lithuania won that tournament, Kalnietis would have travelled to Tokyo to take part in the Olympics for the third time in his career. Instead, the Olympic Games have been pushed back to next year. 

"It's sad that the Olympics have been postponed," Kalnietis said. "But I'm on the side of people who say that the most important thing now is not sports, leagues and the Olympics, but people's health and lives.

"These issues come first. It's a cruel pity for the Olympics, but that's the reality. Now we need the world to recover faster, then we can plan for that Olympics."

FIBA