What used to bring people together now make them sick!
With sporting football activities set to resume, there is a serious need for local football authorities to put strict measures in place as far as COVID-19 and health protocols are concerned.
With the resumption of sporting activities, it is not going to be business as usual because TOUCHLINE is aware that some teams were hit by COVID-19 with their players testing positive.
When the SAB League or Super League teams plays, there are no sanitizers with players and officials without masks at the venues. These are basic needs that need to be put in place in all officials’ games. It is the responsibility of the football authorities to ensure the safety of everyone at soccer venues at the weekend. SAFA and LFAs must work together with government to ensure that strict measures are in place during the official games. It can’t be business as usual when football games resume, something must be done. The biggest concern is that players are all over playing tournament, it means those players will come and mix with the rest of players who were ‘playing it safe’.
TOUCHLINE is worried because there were some reports of players who tested positive for Covid-19 before the nationwide lockdown. This is scary taking into consideration that Super League teams must finish their remaining league games, but the question is, what measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of everyone who is involved.
The truth is that – we close our ears when the truth is being told but the fact of matter is that we can’t risk players’ lives. The local football authorities must come up with a proper plan to ensure players’ safety before the league resumes.
It can’t be business as usual!
TOUCHLINE also challenges parents to get involved to ensure the safety of their children in sports especially in the development of football.
Sadly, most of parents don’t care about the safety of their children hence their children are all over playing these illegal gambling in our community during the lock down. You know why, because they (parents) claim there is nothing they can do because children want to play.
Yes, they want to play, but the question is, will they replace their lives if something terrible happened?
TOUCHLINE suggests that before the league resumes there must be a plan on how we are going to ensure the safety of everyone at the playing venues because there is no monitoring. This must come to an end before we lose young footballers, coaches and match officials.
TOUCHLINE suggests that before the kick off, players, coaches, match officials must be screened and sanitized including the soccer balls to be used for the game. At half time, everyone must also be screened again before the second half resume.
Yes, this might look like a hell of job but for the safety of everyone we must take all these into consideration.