The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
MORE and more sport disciplines look to be answering the call by the Government to down their tools, and suspend action, as the country joins the world in efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In his State Of the Nation Address Tuesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa outlined sweeping precautions taken by the Government to control the novel virus that has already affected some countries in southern Africa.
Chief amongst these was the call to avoid public gatherings of more than 100 people for the next 60 days, including church services, weddings and all international sporting fixtures.
The last two days have seen hockey, cricket and basketball all suspending action, and now rugby authorities have joined in on suspending action.
While the Zimbabwe Seven’s rugby team was the first affected – as the initial outbreaks reports emanated from Asia and caused the Hong Kong Sevens tournament to be pushed back – the Sables have not been spared either.
This follows the suspension of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, wherein the Zimbabwe were supposed to make their second appearance, at the provincial tournament.
In a letter addressed to the Zimbabwe Rugby Union chief executive officer, Sifiso Made, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) all but confirmed the news: “Please be advised as per the attached SA Rugby update that our rugby activities that include the Supersport Rugby Challenge (SRC) 2020 has been postponed.
“This correspondence is herewith intended to advise you that further information regarding the continuation of the tournament will be made on or after April 14, 2020.
“For any further information relating to the SRC, please do not hesitate to contact us,” reads part of the letter.
This comes at a time when the local game, itself, looks to be put on ice as per the Government call earlier this week.
This puts a damper on both the Harare Paramount Garments Under-20 league finals, which were supposed to take place this weekend, and the start of the Super Six national league.
Pitbulls and Old Georgians had already booked their place in the final, with the latter securing home advantage, courtesy of 34-20 win over their rivals last weekend.
Old Hararians were also expected to meet FS Raiderz, in the promotion/relegation play-offs, for the 2021 season.
Both the Zimbabwe Rugby Union and the Harare Rugby Board are expected to issue out statements, on the fate of both the Super Six and Under-20 finals, in the next 24 hours.
