Cricket gets nod from foundation’s chief medical officer

PAPUA New Guinea Sports Foundation chief medical officer Dr Kapua Kapua, after reading Cricket PNG’s (CPNG) submission, has confirmed that the sport’s national governing body is compliant with the lockdown measures in place “if we play cricket at Amini Park as described”.
Cricket is a non-contact outdoor sport, where at no time are there more than 15 people on the field (11 fielders, two batters and two umpires).
A cricket field is a large outdoor space, the approximate size of two rugby fields, where it is rare for any player to be within two metres of each other, and even then, they do not touch.
“CPNG is very thankful for receiving this confirmation from Dr Kapua, and will restart training and playing for the Kumul Petroleum PNG Lewas on Friday,” the governing body said in a statement yesterday.
“At all times, CPNG will maintain strict Covid-19 protocols and will ensure there are never more than 20 people gathering on the field.
“There will be no spectators allowed at Amini Park, however, games will be live streamed on www.cricketpng.org.pg for fans to watch.
“CPNG is committed to strictly observing the lockdown measures in place and is committed to helping the Government fight the battle we are facing with Covid-19.
“CPNG staff and players are all vaccinated, and we encourage everyone in PNG that is eligible to be vaccinated to do so now.”
CPNG said the confirmation came at a critical time as the fully-vaccinated Lewas only had a few weeks left before leaving for Zimbabwe in their own World Cup qualifying tournament.
“We are thankful that we have received confirmation that we can continue to play cricket at Amini Park while maintaining compliance with the lockdown measures,” the governing body said.