The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
Bodybuilders are set to finally return to the gym after the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) approved the first sport codes and gymnasiums to officially resume activity following the recent relaxation of lockdown measures.
The country’s sport regulatory body said in a statement that at least 17 disciplines, originally classified as medium — and high-risk sports, including seven gymnasiums, have been cleared to resume activities, albeit with strict adherence to specific Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.
“Following the notice issued on March 16, informing the public on the decision of the Cabinet authorising the resumption of sport codes, previously designated as “medium and high risk”, the Sports and Recreation Commission wishes to advise the public that the following National Sport Associations have complied with the requirements for resumption and should therefore resume sports activities,” read part of the statement.
The sport codes include korfball, basketball, karate, handball, kickboxing, volleyball, boxing, gymnastics, darts, bodybuilding, judo, squash, hockey, rugby, wushu, netball and football.
In his statement, acting SRC director-general Sebastian Garikai emphasised that the resumption of football was not a blanket greenlight for all forms of the game.
There are concerns that social matches and “money games’’ — which are now common at some sports clubs and high-density suburbs such as Mabvuku, Mbare, Mufakose and Budiriro — could become super-spreaders of Covid-19 as they are being held without adherence to standard operating protocols outlined by the Government.
The nod given for football to return specially refers to the local Premiership, women football and international matches only.
All other leagues under the auspices of ZIFA, including Futsal, Division One and Two, would have to undergo a phased return under the supervision of the association.
Further, gymnasiums that have been allowed to operate include Mi Gym, Pro-fitness Health Club, Victoria Falls Boxing Academy and Gym, Oxygen Gym, Justin Classic Gym, Olympus Health and Fitness, and Body Active Gym.
The SRC encouraged sporting codes which are yet to comply with the protocols for resumption to come forward.
“. . . gym owners should also register with the SRC in order to resume operations as previously advised.
“National Sport Associations must notify the SRC 72 hours beforehand of all local competitions and tournaments they wish to hold.
“Authority to travel and participate in any international tournament must be sought through the Sports and Recreation Commission at least 30 business days before the tournament.
“These applications will be considered for approval by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation,” added the regulator.
The National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBF) and Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) is over the moon.
“This, indeed, is a welcome development and we as the bodybuilding fraternity laud both the Government and Sports and Recreation Commission on their decision to allow us to get back to work,” said NFZBF secretary-general Quiet Shangai.
“We do, however, have reservations on the issue of resources.
“Bodybuilding is an individual sport, much like athletics and tennis, and so every individual expected to go on stage is going to have to be Covid-19 protocol-and-guidelines compliant.
“While necessary and expensive, it is very much achievable.
“We intend to sit down with all our stakeholders, namely our provincial committee, athletes’ commission and organising committees to discuss how we will go about all this,” he said.
Shangai’s sentiments were echoed by BUZ president Joe Mujuru, who also outlined their programme for the rest of the year.
“Let me start off by saying we commend both the Government and SRC. Our players have been idle for almost a year now.
“Finally, we have something to smile about,” Mujuru said.
The return of the sport, he added, will be gradual.
“If everything goes according to plan, we are aiming at a full return by October.
“We have identified the three-on-three (3X3) game as a possible trial run.
“It minimises on the numbers, with things like social distancing easier to maintain; sanitising and the testing is cheaper.
“We have a meeting in the next couple of days where we hope to appoint a national Covid-19 coordinator, 10 provincial officers and club officers.
“This will allow us to monitor our members, athletes, provinces and clubs’ compliance with the Government protocols and guidelines.
“We also hope to use the three-on-three format to identify any kinks and weakness before we fully resume club action,” he said.
