Sports Minister warns of Covid-19 sanctions

MUKWIMA CHILALA writes GOVERNEMENT has rule out the possibility of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) league resuming behind closed doors because football is a contact sport says Minister of Sport Emmanuel Mulenga. Speaking during the COVID-19 daily brief at the Ministry of Health Headquarters at Ndeke House rescently, Mulenga said that President Edgar Lungu was categorical in his address on Friday where some measures on Covid-19 were eased as only non-contact sports such as Tennis and golf have been allowed. “On thoughts of FAZ to open closed door games, the President was categorical when he gave the directive that we are only going to allow those games without contact but football which means they will be contact among the players as they will be fighting for one ball. So going by that we shall not allow that,’’ Mulenga said. The minister said that even if fans were not to be allowed to watch matches, the players were going to always have contact with each other which put them at risk. “On thoughts of FAZ to open closed door games, the President was categorical when he gave the directive that we are only going to allow those games without contact but football which means they will be contact among the players as they will be fighting for one ball. So going by that we shall not allow that,’’ Mulenga said. The Minister said that, if at all there were plans to go ahead with resuming football matches, there was need for certification from the Ministry of Health. Mulenga said that they will be sanctions for those that would go against the government guidelines just as directed by the President. “The President actually indicated that there will be sanctions on anyone who defies Presidential directives because in the National Sports Council Act we have such powers to suspend someone for six years or remove someone from office .So anyone who is going to threaten the lives of Zambians , we are going to use this act,” he said. Sports activities have for the past one month been suspended in Zambia so as to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Sun