Isaac Asiamah
Government has lifted restrictions on certain categories of sporting activities.
The move, according to Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah, is to enable athletes well prepare.
However, those activities are to be carried out in non-contact manner.
The sports permitted are table tennis, gym, tennis, athletes, etc, are permitted.
However, kick-boxing, boxing, football, volleyball which require some degree of contacts, are still not allowed to commence, the Minister said.
He stated that “accordingly, in line with the Presidential directives, restrictions on the following individual and non-contact Olympic sporting activities are lifted with immediate effect.”
Table 1: Sports allowed to train
1
Athletics
2
Badminton
3
Baseball and softball
4
Chess
5
Cricket
6
Cycling
7
Golf
8
Gymnasium (Gym)
9
Individual non-contact Para-sports
10
Keep fit clubs (100 persons limit)
11
Polo
12
Powerlifting
13
Scrabble
14
Shooting
15
Snooker
16
Swimming
17
Table Tennis
18
Tennis
19
Watersports
20
Weightlifting
“No team events like relays in athletics and doubles in badminton, table tennis and tennis are permitted. Only trainings are allowed in the above stated sports disciplines. No caddies (bag carriers) are permitted to accompany (carry bags for) golfers during training,” he said.
The easing of restrictions and the guidelines are all measures to allow athletes develop the necessary “match fitness” they need to position themselves in readiness for competitions at the earliest opportunity when it is safe to do so, according to him.
“There is still a restriction to mass gathering. Therefore, there will be no events or competitions until further notice. The restrictions on all other sporting disciplines are still in force. Specifically, the following sports disciplines are under restrictions:
Table 2: Sporting disciplines not allowed to train
1
Armwrestling
2
Basketball
3
Beach soccer
4
Beach Volleyball
5
Boxing
6
Fencing
7
Football
8
Judo
9
Karate Do
10
Kickboxing
11
Netball
12
Rugby
13
Squash
14
Taekwondo
15
Volleyball
16
Wrestling (Traditional)
Measures
The National Sports Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, he said, undertook a nationwide fumigation in all the stadia across the country.
“Offices, spectating sitting area, VIP lounge among other areas have been fumigated.”
Going forward, he added, these General Protocols should guide Individual non-contact sports. Organizers are thus required to ensure that these protocols are observed:
I. Check temperatures of participants before entering training premises, as necessary.
II. Always enforce mandatory wearing of masks (No mask: No entry Policy).
III. Hand washing facilities with running water and soap and/or approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be made available.
IIII. Adequate waste management facilities (bins, cans, bin-liners, and single use tissues) must be provided.
V. Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used communal places (like bathroom and toilet surfaces) and frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs/handles, door handles, switches of fans, lights, tables, chairs and gym equipment preferably every 1-2 hours depending on rate of utilization.
VI. Display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind people to keep to social distancing protocols, wearing of the masks, regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette.
VII. Introduce a no handshake policy, no hugging, and no spitting policy
VIII. Disinfection/Fumigation of sporting facilities and fields.
IX. Fans and spectators are not allowed during this period until further notice.
X. Personal items to be used exclusively.
XI. For Gym equipment – clients are to use only one piece of e…
By Melvin Tarlue