Polokwane athletes welcome ASA decision
Athletics clubs in Polokwane have welcomed Athletics South Africa's (ASA) decision to suspend athletics activities.
ASA on Monday took a decision to suspend activities for two weeks due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
Corrie Calitz, Chairman of Polokwane Athletic Club said it is too dangerous to host any athletics meetings at the moment.
“We did have to cancel some of our events,bad because we also had to cancel some of our events.
“It is important to avoid groups so that we can control the virus.”
The school coordinator for Athletics South Africa in Limpopo, Peter Maluleke said the decision by ASA was appropriate given the high number of Covid-19 cases.
“This is the best decision in the interest of the athletes and we welcome it.”
Richard Bilisi, the Chairperson of Mzansi Athletics Club also agreed with the decision, while Kobie Marais, the former owner of Run and Walk For Life, said the decision was not one a fair one, given that residents can still go to the gym to exercise.”
According to a statement from ASA, the decision affects the ASA Cross Country Trials which were scheduled for Potchefstroom this weekend which have been postponed indefinitely.
A new date will be determined and announced in due course. The federation had hoped that resumption of the normal 2021 events calendar would by now have been possible, but unfortunately we now have to deal with high infection rates in the country.
The statement further stated that ASA cannot ignore the dire situation that they find themselves in with the rise in infections and deaths.
“It is, therefore, in the interest of saving lives that ASA is now suspending all athletics events for the next two weeks.
“ASA will review this decision after 7 February in line with government pronouncements and in continued consultation with medical experts and relevant government departments,” the statement reads.
