The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
WHILE football and rugby remained banned following tightened restrictions to help prevent a third wave of the coronavirus, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) on Wednesday allowed some sport codes classified as “low risk” to resume.
Athletics, cricket and tennis are some of the disciplines that have been given the greenlight.
But Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) had already cancelled the match between Zimbabwe A and South Africa A in Bulawayo even though they had been given the nod to complete the tie.
As new lockdown measures took effect, the SRC immediately advised national associations to suspend all activities.
It, however, noted it would continue to engage associations, particularly on commitments involving national teams’ international assignments.
The ban on sporting activities affected the Chibuku Super Cup, a tournament that had been used to mark the game’s return after more than a year of inactivity.
Rugby had also recently marked its return with the successful staging of international matches involving the senior men’s, women’s and men’s Under-20 teams against their Zambian counterparts.
In a circular on Wednesday, the SRC announced the return of low-risk sport codes including archery, badminton, angling, chess, equestrian, rowing, draughts, golf and shooting.
The sports are expected to abide by “their previously approved Covid-19 protocols encompassing national and World Health Organisation guidelines”.
Manyuchi & Nakamba
Table tennis is also back, but boxing remains banned, throwing into doubt Charles Manyuchi’s World Boxing Federation (WBF) title fight.
Manyuchi is set to defend his WBF world title against Muhamad Sebyala of Uganda at Flamboyant hotel in Masvingo on July 3.
Given that there is a strong possibility of a waiver for international assignments, albeit on a case-by-case basis, the Manyuchi camp will be hoping their bout could be approved.
Warriors and Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has also seen his foundation’s Under-17 football tournament postponed in line with Government’s directive.
The tournament had been pencilled in for Saturday and Sunday in Bulawayo.
Nakamba, however, says everything will remain in place until it’s safe to hold the competition.
“We support all efforts to curb the spread of the deadly pandemic, Covid-19, and in that light, we have put on hold our plans for the tournament. All systems that had been put in place will stay on hold up to a time when it’s safe to hold the tournament. We would like to thank everyone who had been assisting and cooperating in making the event a success. Stay home, mask up and stay safe all the time,” Nakamba said.
