PNG Sports Foundation grants codes training resumption

THE Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) has granted permission for Digicel Cup franchise and National Soccer League clubs to resume training inside its venues, effective as of Wednesday.
PNGSF’s pandemic management committee also confirmed the approval of professional boxing along with elite athletes preparing for the Olympics and representative duties to resume training while all other competitions and sports remain on hold.
“PNGSF has been in discussions with the national control centre in preparing a return-to-sports strategy going forward for 2021,” committee chairman Dr Kapua Kapua said.
“It is important to note that these discussions are ongoing and outcomes are dependent on the current state of the pandemic in the communities, so decisions may change without notice.
“The committee has endorsed a four-phase approach to the return-to-sport strategy going forward for 2021.
“We are in the first phase (red) with only elite athletes and representatives exempted to train.
“We have made progress in getting other sporting entities toward moving to the second phase (yellow).”
Kapua said the third phase (green) would be the start of competitions while the fourth and final phase (blue) would be when there were no restrictions for competitions. “The committee has been successful in paving a way forward with the national pandemic response controller and we now have tasks to complete in the next week before we reach the yellow phase,” he said.
“Currently under review is the PNG National Rugby League Competition (Digicel Cup) under the strict Banis Protocols and covid-safe compliance requirements with no spectators.
“Whilst the elite athletes mentioned are in the second phase, we are hoping to get all the other sports up to that level as well.”
The chairman said it would require assurance of compliance from the federations to keep their associations in check.
“The deputy controller has advised that those sports that have approved Covid-19 protocols by PNGSF will have to submit their strategy on how they plan to implement and ensure compliance by their affiliates,”he said.