Question NW905 to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
27 May 2020 - NW905
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
(a) By what date does he envisage that team sports such as rugby, soccer and cricket, will be allowed to be practised in the Republic and (b) what mechanisms will his department put in place to ensure federations, leagues and clubs keep players of team sports safe from contracting Covid-19 while practising their respective sports?NW1191E
Reply:
a) The Government is already dealing with the matter of re-opening different sporting codes both non-contact and contact. This follows a series of meetings between the department and leaders of the sporting fraternity. A statement will be made at an appropriate time regarding this matter.
b) The Minister met with the Sporting sector on 17 March 2020 and articulated the responsibility entrusted to the sector in ensuring the protection of life during this time of the pandemic.
The Department has been communicating all COVID-19 related protocols to the Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for onward transmission to the Sports Federations. Here the codes were encouraged to develop measures based on the risk-based strategy in dealing with the pandemic.
The website of the Department has updated information and stakeholders are encouraged to note details.
Federations have furnished the Department with reports of the measures they have taken to address this pandemic.
Some Federations have also developed and furnished the Department with operational guidelines for their codes of Sport based on the risk-adjusted strategy.