League teams get Covid-19 guidance

SUN SPORTS writes THE Ministry of Health has urged Super Division and National Division one clubs to strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by government to prevent Covid -19 cases from escalating further when the local league resumes on July 18th. Speaking during the consultative meeting involving Government, FAZ and Super Division clubs at Heroes Stadium, Ministry of Health expert Raymond Hamonga said all semi-contact sports which have been allowed to resume next month risk being halted if the pandemic continues to escalate at a rapid scale when games resume. Hamonga urged clubs to ensure that the sporting environments are assessed and certified by health inspectors to minimise the risk of those participating getting infected by the Covid-19. He noted that clubs which will not adhere to the guidelines provided risk being suspended from taking part in the games. “In the event that we do get localised outbreaks in some areas, there will be need for us to restrict some of the activities that have been opened up already. “If clubs do not adhere to the guidelines and get overwhelmed by localized outbreaks either in communities or camping houses that may lead to the league being suspended for luck of safety” Hamonga said “Let us at all times adhere and respond quickly to the directives given so that the league can be decided on the field of play,” Meanwhile, Ministry of Sports Youth and Child Development director of sports, John Zulu urged clubs to follow the principals provided by government to preserve lives. Zulu said there is need for clubs to cooperate and work with government to ensure that the pandemic does not spread further when football is allowed to return. And FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said FAZ has engaged the authorities at every stage in ensuring that everything is done in conformity with the guidelines provided by the ministry of health. “My appeal to everyone is that as we re-open our game we will continue to observe all the guidelines that have been given to us. We are confident we will see out this process successfully as we have done in previous circumstances,” he said. Kamanga urged lower division teams to exercise some patience as the association continue to engage the authorities because its desire is that all the leagues are decided on the pitch. Over 50 club officials met yesterday at Heroes Stadium to discuss the guidelines provided as football is set to resume this month while, FAZ will today meet club officials from the northern part of Zambia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to acquaint them with the guidelines provided for football to return. The Sun