Return of sports amid COVID-19: Govt considering spectators

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah has disclosed that the government is considering the introduction of a Coronavirus protocol which will allow for spectators to be admitted to professional football matches when the ban on contact sports is lifted.

According to the Minister, plans were far advanced for football to "bounce back" but some measures were still being put in place to guarantee the safety of spectators from the COVID-19.

He gave the assurance that President Akufo-Addo would soon lift the ban on all sporting activities which were suspended on March 15 as part of measures by the government to curb the spread of the pandemic.

"Just recently, the President spoke about the measures we are putting in place to control the Coronavirus. I plead with you, God willing, the protocols we are working on will ensure that the President would speak again and football shall bounce back," Mr Asiamah said (comments translated to English from Twi).

"Paramount in the protocols will be the safety of supporters, supporters are very important to the government. Supporters make the game beautiful so they have to be protected.

"It won't be long, football will bounce back looking at the measures we will put in place. However, everyone who loves the game must be protected, that is very vital".

It will be recalled that after Ghana confirmed its first case of the Coronavirus in March, all sporting activities, among others, were temporarily banned as part of measures to curb the spread of the infection.

However, the ban was later lifted from some non-contact sports in June but contact sports, including football, have still not been granted a reprieve.

President Akufo-Addo in his 16th Coronavirus address on August 30, said the resumption of contact sports, including football, would take into consideration the imminent participation of national teams in international competitions.