Low-risk contact sports get green light

Kenya women volleyball team setter Janet Wanja reacts during their training session at Kasarani Indoor Arena on August 24, 2018. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Football, volleyball, hockey, basketball and all other low-risk contact sports may resume their Premier League’s (Tier 1) training and competitions, strictly in compliance with the Ministry of Health guidelines, the Ministry of Sports has announced.

Contact sport have been suspended for almost nine months since the first case of coronavirus was reported in Kenya in March.

This is the type of news the local football enthusiasts have all along been waiting for ahead of the 2020/2021 FKF-Premier League season that kicks off today.  

But the league will be played behind closed doors with all the other activities related to lower level leagues remaining suspended.

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), who had initially intended to start their national league in October, can now start planning for their new season.

Cabinet secretary for sports, Amina Mohamed addresses members of WRC Safari Rally Kenya at Flamingo Beach Hotel in Mombasa. She said the Government through her ministry will put more funds in motorsports. 24th October 2020. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

The low-risk contact sports joins non-contact sporting activities like athletics, golf, badminton, archery, motor-sports and cricket in the category of the disciplines that have resumed their activities in the country.

Non-contact sports, outdoor recreational, private fitness clubs and other sporting clubs got back to action in September.

As per yesterday’s statement released by the Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, all national teams are now free to resume training.

“No spectators shall be allowed at any sporting event. All the federations must ensure compliance to all the provisions of the guidelines. The Ministry will continue monitoring compliance to the guidelines and revise them from time to time,” said Amina.