National team handlers undergo COVID-19 training

Members of the four national football teams expected to resume camping will undergo testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) as soon as they arrive in camp to ensure their safety while in camp.

The teams – the Black Maidens (female Under-17 side), the Black Princesses (female Under-20) side, the Black Starlets (male Under-17) and the Black Satellites (male Under-20) side – have been given special dispensation to resume training to prepare for their various international assignments.

In preparation for the resumption of camping, the Risk Communication and Social Mobilisation of the national COVID-19 response task force last Wednesday held a training workshop for the technical teams to educate them on the protocols in preparation for the resumption of camping.

The Chairman of the task force, Dr Dacosta Aboagye, said the initiative was part of efforts to ensure maximum safety for the team members in relation to COVID-19.

The Daily Graphic found out that medical teams would be deployed to the various camp venues and will take the samples of all members of the team as soon as they arrive.

Training

The day’s training workshop was part of efforts to ensure maximum safety for the team members in relation to COVID-19 as they return to camp, the first group of people to be allowed to engage in group sports, since the ban was placed on all sporting events.

It was held for the medical teams of the four national teams, made up of the doctors, physiotherapists and nurses, the welfare officers, members of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) medical committee as well as the national teams committee.

Also in attendance were members of the Safety and Security Committee of the GFA and the GFA President, Kurt E. S. Okraku.

The participants were trained on monitoring, contingency arrangements, evaluation procedures among others.

Additionally, there were demonstrations on how to wear the face mask properly, washing of hands and the need to practice personal hygiene.

Protocol adherence and surveillance

Addressing the participants, Dr Aboagye underscored the need for all protocols to be institutionalised and strictly adhered to while in camp, emphasising that it adherence was the best way to minimise the impact in the unlikely event that someone tested positive.

A member of the National Case Management and Surveillance team, Dr Lawrence Lamptey, also emphasised on the need to keep surveillance on high alert.

He said that should include having in mind the various places the players would be travelling to from their camping bases.

Clear path
The president of the GFA , Mr Okraku expressed gratitude to the training facilitators as the workshop offered a clear path for the return to football.

“As all and sundry are clamouring for the return of football, there will be the need to be in a good position to protect ourselves and that of our brothers and sisters.

“Hopefully it will start with the national teams and hopefully, we will have the domestic league coming back to us,” he said.