Sport dealt body blow again
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 21, 2021 06:00
It is the umpteenth time sport has suffered a blow due to COVID-19 restrictions. Sport codes have bemoaned the latest setback, with some in the middle of crucial preparations. Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) vice president, Gilbert Khunwane feels there could be a better way to deal with COVID-19. “I fail to understand why our leadership does not realise that COVID-19 is here to stay. We have to see how we live with it.
Having said that, do they not realise that sport is employment. I understand a deliberate decision has been taken to vaccinate teachers because of the nature of their jobs. What prevents us from prioritising sport too?How many lives have been put on hold because sport activities have been put on hold?” he asked. Khunwane said it has been more than a year without BoBA hosting inter club tournaments, which is not good for boxing. BoBA is scheduled to go for an elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the end of this month.
“We are still trying to discuss that issue but personally I do not see us holding the AGM. The Government Gazette is clear on that,” Khunwane said. Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe said he does not understand why the Ministry of Health and Wellness does not allow non-contact sport to go on. “How do you close non-contact sport, which is played in open areas and leave gyms and churches that are indoors. We cannot in this time be treating contact and non-contact sport as the same. Research has shown that you need exercise to fight COVID-19,” Thipe said. Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) public relations officer, Abaleng Lesego said it is a difficult time for all sporting codes. She said the previous decision to lift the ban had given the sport a ray of hope.
“But it also requires of us to thoroughly assess the risks associated with contact sport. Our affiliates presented a divided view with some opting for return while others were not, they have to demonstrate to us as BBA their capacity to return or reasons for not returning,” she said. Lesego said it is a difficult position for all, therefore the suspension presents a headache where they consider the benefits against the risks of a return to play. “Our health versus restoring sport, without the other, none of the two exists,” Lesego said.
Botswana National Sport Association (BNSC) chief executive officer (CEO), Tuelo Serufho said they support the decision to temporarily suspend sport except for national teams. “We would of course continue to engage with the relevant authorities and should all of us agree at any point to modify the status quo, such shall be communicated accordingly,” he said.
Serufho said at the point the suspension of sport would be lifted, either partially or fully, BNSC guidelines would go back into effect and National Sport Associations would once again have to obtain approval before resuming activities.