After sports activities were reinstated last weekend, National Council of Sports (NCS) will today, Friday 25th September 2020 convene a meeting with all local sports governing bodies (federations/ associations/ unions) in respect to Resumption of Sports Activities. The event will happen between 11: 00a.m to 1: 00a.m at Cooper Chimney Restaurant in Lugogo.
“Please be advised that the meeting will be in person and each federation is requested to nominate one representative that will attend the said meeting,” part of the NCS missive in regard to the matter read.
The meeting will be held in accordance with the ministry of health guidelines regarding Covid-19, that is; hand sanitizing, social distancing and wearing of masks.
Even before a ban on sports was lifted, NCS had already put in place a working committee to formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to guide the member federations/associations ahead of a possible resumption of sports activities.
However, today’s meeting will likely rotate around implementing SOPs, catering for the new costs in regard to the ‘new normal,’ and the like.
Earlier on, NCS had released SOPs for resumption of sports activities to all its member federations and associations that should be followed in the post-sports-ban age.
The procedures are ;
•Formulate their specific standard operating procedures outlining inter alia and what measures will be taken.
•Suggest social distancing modalities to be used for example, empty alternative lanes in Swimming of Athletics as well as keep 2metre distance between Athletes, fans and officials. Undertaking sporting activities in empty venues is a possibility for high risk sports.
•Possibly provide COVID-19 testing facilities at all venues and offices. Athletes and officials shall be required to take tests.
•Provide contact details for athletes, officials and fans which will be recorded for case of tracing and contact if required
•Undertake temperature checks of all athletes, officials and fans at sports venues or offices.
•Provide sanitizers, soap and hand washing facilities at all venues and offices.
•Provide contact details for athletes, officials and fans which will be recorded for case of tracing and contact if required
•Undertake temperature checks of all athletes, officials and fans at sports venues or offices.
•Provide sanitizers, soap and hand washing facilities at all venues and offices.
•Ensure that gloves are worn by the team, event staff and officials.
•Provide closed disposal bins and containers at all venues for all disposables as well as provide hygienic materials like tissues.
•Athletes and officials do not share water bottles, clothing or any other personal items.
•Ensure the social distancing is practiced by fans and Athletes. This will be required ensuring that capacity of sports venues is assesses and limited fans are admitted to ensure safe social distancing.
•Ensure that anti Covid-19 containment measures and messaging are displayed at all venues.
•Ensure use of immersive and online technology where feasible to facilitate social distancing maybe used.
•Ensure that regular disinfecting of surfaces at sporting venues is mandatory.
•Put in place measures to ensure social distancing during access and exit of sports venues.
•Ensure all fans, officials and Athletes shall wear masks while participating in sports or in Venues.
Therefore, NCS and sports governing bodies will likely debate on the above points and also discuss the issue of indoor areas that have been banned to host sports events, among others.
