Shangula sends warning to sport organisers

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

SWAKOPMUND

Minister of health Kalumbi Shangula has advised organisers of sport events to be wary of allowing a large number of spectators.

The minister expressed concern that some organisers are not controlling the numbers of spectators at events and the way they behave.

By yesterday Namibia had recorded 268 new Covid-19 infections, with a total of 3 392 active cases.

“It should be everybody’s understanding in the sport sector that we are in the middle of high response measures and we have to be vigilant when organising events in order to avoid gatherings.

“I think the message has been clear to all sectors and individuals who are planning to host any events or large gatherings.

“The transmission is often caused by large gatherings and I would advise for this not to happen at all,” Shangula said.

The minister said this as the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.

Not only is the country still grappling with the Delta variant of the virus, but the new, highly transmissible Omicron variant has also been confirmed in the country.

With many Christmas tournaments taking place around this time, many people fear a renewed ban on sport events when President Hage Geingob addresses the nation tomorrow.

Only option

Sports activities were the first events to be prohibited when the previous three waves of the pandemic hit.

But most countries have found ways to continue with sport activities, including testing the players before and after events. Players and athletes are also kept in bubbles to curb the spread of the virus.

In Namibia, the country has struggled to get sport going again after each wave.

Just this year, events such as the MTC NFA Cup, Namibia Premier Football NFPL, netball competitions and the rugby league were delayed during the third wave.

Nobody knows how long the fourth wave will last and what impact it will have on Namibia’s sport fraternity.

Former minister of health Bernard Haufiku, who has in the past attended to boxers as a doctor, believes that there could be ways to rescue sports.

He supports the idea that people must avoid public gatherings and adhere to health protocols to combat the virus and allow sporting activities to continue.

“The other thing that we can do is to make sure that there is rapid testing for those that will compete. They can also be kept in a bubble and get tested before a fight or a match.

“This does not guarantee you 100% protection, but can definitely allow people to continue with sport,” Haufiku said.

Haufiku, who also was a former boxing board chairperson, added that he believes sport needs attention give the important role it plays in society.

“It is important that we find solutions because it takes many people off the streets.

“Sport does provide many with options to live and that is why I find it important to really find solutions,” Haufiku added.

Rural tournaments

Rural tournaments could suffer the most of if the president decides to prohibit sport on Wednesday.

These competitions have been major attractions in local communities for the past 30 years.

Things have changed since last year, though, as many of these competitions were cancelled or postponed.

Mervin Kamenje, who is part of the Otjinene sports organising committee, is aware of the risk but calls on the business community to rescue these events.

“We are aware that the virus is here again and we might possibly be forced to postpone it if the president decides to prohibit it.

“The other thing will be that if the spectators are stopped, we can continue the tournament without fans.

“The only lasting solution will be financial help from the business community. We need money to test the players before matches and to keep them isolated.

“As a country, it seems like we are far away from realising this because the ministry of sport and the business community must come together to find solutions,” Kamenje said.

Coast affected

The coast has also not been spared, given that many sporting events shift to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund during December.

The Nedbank Desert Dash was held this past weekend, but there are more events lined up, such as the Swakopmund Sport Club Christmas Cup and Angling Bonanza.

Gerald Gunther of Swakopmund FC said things have changed ever since the outbreak.

“We have the Swakopmund FC Christmas Cup coming up and we expect many teams here.

“Things have however not been the same ever since last year because we did not have as many teams as usual because of the pandemic,” Gunther said.