Contact Sports not allowed – Sports Minister
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Honorable Isaac Kwame Asiamah, has insisted that, the easing of restrictions by President Nana Akufo Addo does not include contact sports like football and boxing.
At a press briefing in Accra on Monday June 15, the minister reiterated that although non contact sports can go on as stated by the President, all covid-19 protocols must be observed and no competitions or events are allowed.
The Minister highlighted the Presidential Directives issued on May 31, 2020 as part of the fight against COVID-19 which says among others that with the exception of non contact sports no other sporting events, competitions or games will take place. Also there will be no spectators or fans and relays in athletics are all suspended.
The individual non-contact sports which can take place are:
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Golf
- Power lifting
- Weight lifting
- Cycling
- Draughts
- Para Sports (individual non contact para sports)
- Rowing and Canoeing
- Baseball and softball
- Horse racing
- Individuals exercising within our stadiums
On the other hand, team training, contact sports including football, hockey, volley, beach soccer and beach volleyball, remain suspended till July 31, 2020.
This he says will remain unchanged until otherwise directed by the President. All sporting activities have been halted since in the country since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mustapha Hadji (Dean of Sports)
