National Sports

AU body says countries to decide on sports restart

African Union Sports Council Region 5 meeting on a Covid-19 held last week resolved that  resumption of sports is at each member state’s discretion.

The meeting, which brought together delegates from Angola, Botswana, e-Swatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, was chaired by Ausc Region 5 chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya.

Malawi was represented by five officials from Malawi National Sports Council, Malawi Olympic Committee, women’s football committee and disability.

In an interview, Malawi’s Ausc desk officer Chancy Malamula said the online meeting shared the Covid-19 impact in their respective countries

Netball teams in action last season

She said; “Countries took time to highlight the measures that would be employed after the plans to open up to sporting activities are implemented basing on the individual countries.

“Restarting of sports will be country based, according to financial status as well as the Covid-19 status.”

Malamula said for each country to resume sports it will depend on the recommendation from the Ministry of Health and the Covid-19 Task Force in respetive countries.

“Some of the conditions to be considered for sports to return are social distance, hygienic practices, strict testing for Covid-19, ensuring, facilities are checked by health personal to ensure that they are fit to host games,” She said

On his part, Mutoya said the dialogue presented a rare platform for key stakeholders to share experiences and buttress their current plans for a calculated return of sport.

“We believe in value on collaboration and knowledge sharing among co-operating parties at both bilateral and multilateral levels. The outcome will benefit member countries and the region on how to move forward as we prepare resumption of sports,” he said.

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