Local sport resumption uncertain

By Michael Uugwanga

THE Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula has said that it is ‘very difficult’ to predict when sports can fully resume in the country amid the pandemic.

“When the transmission of the infections is very low, that is when sport in particular contact sports can resume,” he said.

Although most countries have resumed with their sport codes, while others are to complete their 2019/2020 sporting calendars, local sports could take longer than expected due to an increase in Covid-19 infections.

Namibia is currently at stage three under a state of emergency with strict regulations, more so in the three central towns of Windhoek, Rehoboth and Okahandja which have been identified as the epicentres of Covid-19.

Gatherings have also been cut from 50 to10 people.

To make matters worse Government also introduced a curfew between 20h00 to 05h00, which affects the hosting of some contact sport codes such as boxing, kickboxing, karate and netball that usually hold night time events.

Neighbouring country South Africa with one of the world’s highest Covid-19 infection cases is set to conclude with its 2019/2020 soccer season this month, while in Zambia’s football association ended its league prematurely in July due to the inability of football clubs to produce Covid-19 results of players when called upon to do so.

“It is very difficult to predict (resumption of sport) because it all depends on the behaviour of the people,” Shangula concluded.