SRC clears 24 ‘low risk’ sports

Sports reporter

The Sports and Recreation Commission has cleared 24 sporting disciplines to resume activities in accordance with their previously approved Covid-19 guidelines.
In a statement the SRC said: “Pursuant to the recently Gazetted Statutory Instrument 170 of 2021, the following sports codes, classified as ‘low risk’ are hereby authorized to resume their activities in accordance with their previously approved COVID-19 protocols encompassing national and World Health Organization guidelines.”

The list of the cleared sports include archery, Angling, Cricket, Equestrian, Polo, Shooting, Woodball, Table Tennis, Aquatics, Bass, Cycling, Rowing, Polocrosse, Tennis, Triathlon, Horse Racing, Badminton, Athletics, Chess, Draughts, Golf, Motor Sport, Lawn Bowls, Teqball.

The SRC said local competitions as well as teams travelling for regional and international competitions will need government clearance.

“No competition in Zimbabwe or travel outside of Zimbabwe shall take place without the written authorisation of the Honourable Minister of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation in consultation with the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care.”
The SRC also said national sports associations will need 14 days to notify the authority on hosting a local competition.

For regional, continental and international competitions, communication should be done within 30 days.

This development is welcome news to Zimbabwe Cricket whose home series against Bangladesh next month was in jeopardy.

The ban on sports which was effective from June 14 resulted in the postponement and eventual cancelling of Zimbabwe A and South Africa A’s four- day match after the two teams had played the first day on Sunday.

ZC however appealed for clearance citing previous successful local bio-secure bubble environments as a reason for their case.

“ZC has, however, lodged an urgent appeal to the Government, through the Sports and Recreation Commission, for permission to complete the ongoing four-day international match, as well as to continue with preparations for other upcoming international tours, that we had already committed to.

“Having successfully hosted international, and domestic tournaments at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, under the bio-secure environment – with the matches being played behind closed doors with no spectators allowed in the stadia and with all those directly involved undergoing several tests for the coronavirus and staying in secluded accommodation facilities – we believe we are well-equipped and experienced enough to safely resume with our cricket activities,’’ said ZC Communications manager Darlington Majonga.