Green light for more sports
Sporting codes like athletics, rugby and netball have still not received the go-ahead from the government. MINISTER: CRICKET, TENNIS AMONG NEW SPORTS CLEARED
Though a total of nine codes have now been cleared to resume activities, as elite South African sport prepares for a return to action, government has called for patience as it continues to process applications from federations in an attempt to relaunch the 2020 season.
Following the announcement last week that professional football had received approval to resume activities, and the decision earlier this month to open golf clubs, the department of sport, arts and culture confirmed at the weekend that seven more codes had been given the green light.
These included cricket, swimming, tennis, canoeing, angling, gymnastics and climbing.
Other codes, however, including rugby, netball and athletics, had not yet received the go-ahead.
“We wish to humbly appeal to the rest of the sport sector to exercise patience and tolerance as we continue with the task of processing their plans,” the sports ministry said.
Cricket had hoped to be first to the start line, after sports events had been suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, but the 3TCricket match scheduled to be played last week had been postponed, with the national federation admitting it had jumped the gun.
Cricket South Africa would, however, be able to get its plans back on track after getting the nod at the weekend.
Similarly, last week’s news also paved the way for the Premier Soccer League to resume, though it remained unclear when domestic rugby or netball competitions would be allowed to continue.
And while most Olympic codes remained suspended, including athletics and cycling, government’s latest decision allowed six Olympic codes to begin their build-up to next year’s Tokyo Games.
No federations had announced a date yet for a return to play, but government said the latest release of restrictions would allow approved sports to put firm plans in place in an effort to save their respective 2020 campaigns.
“These sport bodies have submitted their plans, indicating their state of readiness and their commitment to adhere to stringent health protocols that they will implement in accordance with the prescribed regulations and directions,” the sports ministry said.
“The sport bodies are urged to take note of, and implement, the comments from the health authorities.”
Under Level 3 national lockdown regulations, mass participation events were still suspended, with road runners and cyclists restricted to training alone or in small groups.
Government confirmed that the window for federations to submit applications for a return to play had closed at the weekend.