Athletics returns after brief suspension

Athletics South Africa (ASA) has lifted the two weeks suspension of all athletics activities which had been imposed in the face of the spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The Houghton Estate-based athletics body announced it was lifting the ban and that all athletics activities would resume as of 6 February. The suspension came after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a 14-day adjustment of Level 3 restrictions due to the second wave of coronavirus.

In reaction to the measures announced by the government, several other sporting codes also suspended most of their activities. The South African Football Association also suspended all amateur football activities for an unspecified time frame.

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Announcing the lifting of the ban, ASA media liaison officer Sifiso Cele said the body would like to thank its members and the entire athletics family for cooperating and adhering to the suspension.

“While we needed to play our part in assisting government efforts to control the infection rates and saving lives, we can now report that the infection rates are significantly declining in the country and the recovery rate is improving.

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“This has brought us the good news which now enables ASA to return to the tracks and fields of competition to resume our athletics calendar. “Our return to play will obviously be held under the strict ASA protocols and as per the national regulations which dictate the adherence to the protocols of the health authorities,” Cele said.

He added that ASA would like to stress the importance of social distancing, washing of hands, sanitising and wearing of masks and adherence to all health protocols.

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