Sport still very much in the dark
Rugby remains in negotiation talks with the government and if wide reports are anything to go by, lovers of the game will have to wait until the end of August for the return of rugby.
Despite the gradual lifting of the lockdown in recent times and the Department of Sport giving the green light to certain sporting codes, mainly the ‘big three’ of cricket, rugby and soccer, there’s still some corners which remain frustrated by the long-awaited return.
The Department of Sport has since given the green light for top flight football the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to return to training and playing and cricket, tennis and swimming for training purposes only, to list a few.
Rugby remains in negotiation talks with the government and if wide reports are anything to go by, lovers of the game will have to wait until the end of August for the return of rugby.
Elsewhere, despite a strong bid for a return which was handed to the government about a month ago by the South African mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), the organisation and fight fans are still waiting for a positive response.
Fighters from Boksburg affected by MMA’s freeze include Brandon Swanepoel and Billy Oosthuizen. It’s no different with boxing as the Advertiser received confirmation from Golden Gloves Promotions event coordinator Jeffrey Ellis that the return of squared-circle action hinges on a response from higher powers.
“We are ready, the fighters need commitment to start sparring and to prepare properly, which would take between four to six weeks.
“We are waiting for clearance from Boxing South Africa and the government. We keep moving the shows further down the line.
“Affected boxers from Boksburg include the Truter brothers, Tristan and Cayden. Both train at the Hammer Gym under the tutelage of one of the county’s greatest boxers and now trainer, Harold Volbrecht. Oosthuizen also trains in the same stable.
Meanwhile, despite top-flight football being given the go-ahead, amateur football remains locked down.
A recently released statement by the Eastern Local Football Association reads: “It has been brought to our attention that certain clubs have intentions to start training.”All training is suspended until further notice.”Any club found to be training or allowing their facilities to be used by private institutions will be issued a fine of R10 000.
“Boksburg Football Club coach Ernest Seforo added: “Players can’t wait any longer; even parents are missing the action. Every time I receive messages on the group, they read: “Coach, when are we training? When is football starting?”
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