Sunday Tribune

It’s all systems go for sport fans

LINDA GUMEDE linda.gumede@inl.co.za

THE return of spectators to stadiums after a 19-month hiatus would have a positive impact and boost the declining economy, according to stakeholders.

This comes after Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma gazetted an amendment to Disaster Management Act regulations, allowing fans on the sport fields.

Dlamini-zuma said the amendment comes after government eased lockdown restrictions, following a drastic decline in Covid-19 infections in the country. A maximum of 2000 spectators would be permitted entry to outdoor events, and 750 or fewer to indoor sporting venues.

SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee president Barry Hendricks said the committee fully supported the new amendment.

“We are glad that the discussions between the committee and the government in easing the regulation were positive. This will make sure that people get involved in the sports field and this will lead to a positive start as people have to be in possession of a vaccination card to attend the live games,” he said.

The SA Rugby Association has advised its member unions that only fully-vaccinated supporters will be allowed to return to club and professional rugby matches.

Jurie Roux, chief executive of SA Rugby, said the governing body was in full support of the government's drive to accelerate mass vaccinations, thereby allowing society to return to normal while ensuring rugby was not the cause of further spreading the virus.

“This is very welcome news and the first step to returning to having the freedom to sell out venues on special occasions once again.

“It is 19 months since a fan was last allowed in a rugby stadium, and this is the light at the end of the tunnel that our sport has desperately needed. We trust that this initial allowance will increase speedily as the impact of the vaccination programme and the experience in other territories points to a further relaxation of restrictions,” said Roux.

ethekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the City was highly optimistic. The amendments would allow sports venues to open to spectators, and they were expecting an increase in the number of visitors during sporting events.

“With the new announcement, we will then be able to apply these new regulations and be able to allow for venues for both professional and non-professional sports to open for spectators,” he said.

Azar Jammine, chief economist at Econometrix, said the amendment was clearly going to open more job opportunities and benefit the economy.

“It will certainly benefit the tourism sector positively, which had suffered an 85% decline. South Africa also being out of the red flag status means it will bring billions into the country,” he said.

METRO

en-za

2021-10-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

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