The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
After successfully hosting the Africa Cup fixtures against Burkina Faso, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) have been rewarded by being given the greenlight to resume activity for the national men’s and women’s Sevens sides.
Zimbabwe Sables not only posted massive victories over the Burkina Faso Stallions to secure top spot in Pool D of the qualifiers, but the ZRU also underlined their professionalism with an incident-free series.
The Sables did not record a single
Covid-19 case.
ZRU are one of 13 associations whose teams received event-based exemption to resume training and participate at “critical international and domestic tournaments and events”.
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) granted the approvals on a case-by-case basis in line with strict protocols outlined by the Government following the announcement of Level Four lockdown extension last month.
Zimbabwe Cricket, Rowing Association of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Archery Association were the other bodies to benefit from the latest round of approvals.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) is pleased to inform the public that the following sport codes have been granted an exemption to conduct specific activities in order to fulfil critical international and domestic tournaments and events. The relevant national sporting associations (NSAs) are being informed in writing by the SRC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no other sporting activities are to resume other than for those purposes specifically exempted,” said the sports governing body in a statement yesterday.
The greenlight given to archery allows their team to attend the World Archery Youth Championships in Wroclaw, Poland, between August 9-15.
Rowers were allowed to participate at the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championship slated for Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from August 11-August 15.
In Rugby, the latest review means the Cheetahs can begin preparing for the World Rugby Sevens Series Cathy Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong scheduled for November 2021.
The women’s team, Lady Cheetahs, will be preparing for the World Rugby Seven’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers pencilled in for August and September 2021.
Zimbabwe Cricket is now expected to host Thailand (August 18-31) and Ireland (October 5-14) for a series of ODI and Twenty20 series for the women’s team.
Further, the coast is now clear for FC Platinum and Black Rhinos Queens to resume training ahead of their CAF and Cosafa Women’s Champion’s League ties.
Officials benefit from the latest dispensation, particularly referees and match commissioners for the Under-20 World Cup qualifier between Mozambique and eSwatini.
In addition, the Zimbabwe Davis Cup now has the go-ahead to host China next month, but the latter has since withdrawn due to travel restrictions.
Among the other events included on the list are Under-21 Hockey World Cup qualifiers for both men and women, 2021 Region V bass tournament in October, World Junior Championships (Athletics), Beitbridge to Victoria Falls Charity Cycle, 26th edition of the Blue Cross Ultra-Distance Endurance Event, and the Victoria Falls Sports Tourism Experience between August 14-August 16.
