Federations told to develop back-to-sport protocols

By ROBINSON LEKA
NATIONAL federations will now have the task of developing Covid-19 protocols to facilitate the requirements of their sports while considering the use of venues, says a medical official.
Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) chief medical officer Dr Kapua Kapua said their back-to-sport protocol was an umbrella guideline for sports.
“It (back-to-sport protocol) is an all overarching document which provides guidelines but the actual protocols and the standard operating procedures of each sport will be an input from the national federations and venue management team,” he said.
“You have to work together to make it work. I have looked at the protocols of a number of international federations.
“They’ve changed a few things to adhere to social distancing and hygiene standards.
“For example, contact sports like Taekwondo must have all the mats wiped down after every bout.
“What we’ll hopefully see before next month is the protocols for all sports, and how venue space will be met and documented.
“Federations need to have their input according to your international federation’s regulations and those of the venue management.”
Kapua said if there was a lack of input from international federations, PNGSF’s protocol would assist so that competitions and activities were in line with the requirements of the venue management and health authorities.
Meanwhile, PNGSF executive director Peter Tsiamalili Jr said it would take time for each sport to develop and implement their protocols.