BNSC Prioritizes Athletes Vaccination
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday September 20, 2021 16:00
This follows the government's decision to lift the ban on competitive sport last week. BNSC chief executive officer (CEO), Tuelo Serufho told Sport Monitor that they are working on the prioritization of professional and semi professional athletes to be vaccinated.
He said that is in addition to teams that would represent Botswana internationally in the near future. “All the 16 National Sport Associations (NSAs) have been approved for return to play, some after a few revisions and consultative meetings,” he said. Meanwhile, Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) public relations officer, Isaiah Ramontshonyana said they appreciate that the ban has been lifted. He said that does not mean that COVID-19 is no longer a threat. “We are still in the middle of the pandemic.
There is a possibility of another wave. Our role as sport leaders is to make sure that athletes are protected and by that we want the government to speed up the vaccination rollout.
If we are not careful we might find ourselves in trouble with sport being a virus spreader,” he said. Ramontshonyana said karate is willing to rush back into action but take it slowly by starting with kata competition.
Botswana Netball Association (BONA) secretary general, Manake Maplanka said return to action is going to be a mammoth task in getting players to refocus. She said the remaining months would be geared towards clubs' readiness to return back to play. “All clubs must be able to show how they would follow COVID-19 protocols.
Workshops are on the pipeline, as you may already aware that we have an ongoing coaching course. We are also waiting for government to roll out the vaccine,” she said. Maplanka said looking at the manner in which the vaccine is being rolled out, it is clear that sport and entertainment are last on the radar.
Adding that it has clearly shown since 2020. She noted that things should not be expected to get back to normal quickly especially for contact sport that has been banned for almost two years. Softball sport development officer, Tebogo Johannes said softball is partly ready for action.
He said they are left with minor issues such as cleaning the National Diamond and distributing protective equipment (PPEs) to clubs.