Sportscaster, Medical Doctor Call For Resumption Of Football

The government’s decision to suspend all sporting activities under stricter lockdown measures has been condemned as being knee-jerk and ill-advised.

Health and Child Care Minister Vice President Costantino Chiwenga Saturday announced a ban on all public gatherings with effect from 14 June 2021 in a move meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus. He said:

All public gatherings, churches, music shows and sports have been banned, except for funerals with only 30 people allowed to attend.

The following day, Sunday, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) advised all national sports associations that all sporting events are suspended until notice.

READ MORE: Govt Bans All Sporting Activities Until Further Notice

Sportscaster Mike Madoda said the country has one of the safest conditions in the world for playing football and there is no logical reason for banning matches. He tweeted:

With just one case in 30 days since the resumption of football, Zimbabwe was playing in arguably one of the safest conditions globally.

There’s no reason the #ChibukuSuperCup should be suspended as the health and safety protocols put in place seem to be effective.

Responding to Madoda’s post on Twitter, Norman Matara, a doctor from Zimbabwe Association for Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), said there is no scientific reason to suspend the Chibuku Super Cup tournament. He said:

I agree. Players were getting tested before every match. No fans in stadiums. The number of players and officials attending each match less than those seen in 2 full zupco buses. No scientific reason at all to suspend the #ChibukuSuperCup