By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
Copa-Coca-Cola tournament organisers, National Associations of Schools Heads (NASH) are delighted by the Sports and Recreation Commission’s (SRC) decision to approve the return of all sporting activities in schools, NASH president Mr Arthur Maphosa told SlyMediaNews.
Maphosa hailed the new development that was announced by the SRC on Monday during a press conference.
The conference was held to clarify on the resumption of allegedly high-risk sporting activities such as rugby and football in the country.
The body however stressed the need for associations to confirm their preparedness and capacity in terms of finance and administrative work.
Despite the SRC announcing the resumption of sporting activities, the body said it would formally inform Government on Thursday about the development.
The SRC said rapid testing of athletes and officials would be mandatory.
It is one year now since the country’s sporting activities including school’s sports were suspended as a result of Covid-19 outbreak.
Speaking to SlyMediaNews, NASH president said, “We are excited that the SRC has finally hinted on the resumption of sports at schools.”
“We now await our own ministry of Education to give us a green light, then observing all the protocols and guidelines put in place, we can’t wait to get our learners out there.”
Maphosa said the move by the SRC could result in the country’s most prestigious schools’ tournament in terms of football (Copa Coca Cola) being held this year.
“When football is given the green light, we cannot stop going the Coca-Cola way,” he said.
“We only pray that our sponsors could be in a position to continue journeying with us in this lovely marriage which starter back in 1989.”
“I have never doubted our sponsors, they have always been committed to this marriage, ours is to click the button.
” But we will now be getting in touch now that the wait seems to be getting over,” he revealed.
Asked if the tournament would commence during the first or second term, Maphosa said it was most likely to take place second term.
“We are yet to click the buttons, but certainly we will push for term 2 not term 1, normally our tournament is held in July,” he said.
Early this month Government released the 2021 schools’ calendar with the first term starting on 15 March for examination classes with the rest of the classes starting on March 22 and closing on June 4.
After a three weeks holiday, the second term will start on June 28 and ends on September 10, while the final term will start on October 4 and will end on December 17.
