MOSCA releases protocols to guide resumption of sports

Local sportsmen and federations can now afford a sigh of relief after the Ministry of Sports released the much awaited safety protocols to guide resumption of sporting activities.

The development marks an end to the cloud of uncertainty regarding the resumption of sporting activities which were put on hold on March 25 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The head of state in an address ordered that cessation of local sporting activities following a sharp spike of coronavirus positive cases reported in the month.

However, light began shinning at the end of the dark tunnel, on May 1 when Uhuru announced that the resumption will be guided by the guidelines to be issued by the Ministry of Sports jointly with that of Health.

After thirteen days of anxious wait, sportsmen can now rest easy as the Amina Mohamed led Ministry has finally come up with the protocols to be followed. 

In a statement, the Ministry has directed federations to wholesomely test all players at their costs with those preparing teams for international assignments required to seek clearance from the Cabinet Secretary.

All federations which have been directed to strictly lock out fans from their activities will be expected to submit weekly returns of covid-19 tests carried on active athletes.. 

Further, the Ministry directed private fitness clubs to re-open but at the same time observe all the containment measures.

However, status quo remains for U-18 as their events remain suspended. Similarly, athletes gearing up for international assignments or traveling to countries reporting high numbers of positive cases will be denied clearance.

Below are the guidelines released by the Ministry

1. COVID-19 testing will be mandatory at the cost of Sports Federations, Sports Organisations, participants, or event organizers as applicable for all competitions. Team Kenya testing costs shall be met by the Government

2. The Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Health will continue with the sportspersons’ vaccination program on priority basis.

3. Federations entering teams for international events will be required to seek travel clearance from the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage and the designated Team Medical Personnel (with training in Medicine).

4. The Ministry will not authorize travel to countries where the COVID-19 case load is established to be high or where the Ministry of Health advises to be high risk.

5. All Under 18 Sports remain suspended. Special consideration will be granted to National Teams preparing for select international events.

6. The Ministry will prepare and release elaborate bubble camp training and event protocols. All Olympic participating teams will be accommodated at designated Bubble training camps in strict compliance with these Guidelines, the Ministry of Health Guidelines and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games playbooks. Testing of Athletes shall be done every 96 hours until the commencement of the Olympic Games to ensure that Kenyan athletes are safe and exposed to the rigors of Covid-19 control expected in Tokyo.

7. Private fitness clubs may re-open immediately and observe all the containment measures including strict social distancing, sanitization, handwashing among othermeasures as provided in the Guidelines. Strict adherence is expected from gym owners and users in this respect.

8. No spectators shall be allowed at any sporting events.

9. All sports Federations are expected to submit weekly returns of COVID-19 tests carried out on active athletes.

10. The first athletes’ delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will depart the country on 5th July, 2021 and will be based in Kurume City for 12 days in strict adherence with the released Tokyo 2020 Playbook.

11. The Ministry, in conjunction with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and the Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) will continue to educate and sensitize athletes on the playbook with daily activity logs submitted to the Ministry by the General Team Managers until the conclusion of the Games.