Long waiting game for rugby fans
Rugby players’ boots continue to gather dust as restarting contact sport remains a challenge amid raising Covid-19 cases.
Limba Mupetami
WINDHOEK
Namibia Rugby Union interim CEO Theo Grunewald said they might stage the domestic rugby league later in the year, but that depends solely on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has not only dampened spirits all over the world, but it has caused complete disruption in sports calendars locally and internationally.
Last year, there was one weekend of pre-season 10-a-side rugby at Trusco United Field in early February.
Apart from that, the season failed to get off the ground and no Namibian side played any matches as contact sport was banned soon after.
More of the same
This year may hold more of the same, with gatherings limited to two hours as per government health protocols.
Grunewald said his office sought clarity from the Namibia Sports Commission, but has yet to receive a response on the way forward for rugby.
“We are waiting for things to normalise. I know this is very frustrating for everyone, even you [journalists] as you have a job to do. But we can’t do anything and there is really not much information to give. “Rugby is a contact sport. If guys gather and train, one or two pick up the virus, they then pass it on to their family members,” Grunewald said.
He added that they have been in talks to host some matches for the national senior side, with teams willing to come play, “but the situation will not allow [it]”.
“As you know, the South Africa Rugby Union has also called off amateur rugby competitions. So, it is the same thing everywhere and we continue to observe what happens,” he said.
WINDHOEK
Namibia Rugby Union interim CEO Theo Grunewald said they might stage the domestic rugby league later in the year, but that depends solely on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has not only dampened spirits all over the world, but it has caused complete disruption in sports calendars locally and internationally.
Last year, there was one weekend of pre-season 10-a-side rugby at Trusco United Field in early February.
Apart from that, the season failed to get off the ground and no Namibian side played any matches as contact sport was banned soon after.
More of the same
This year may hold more of the same, with gatherings limited to two hours as per government health protocols.
Grunewald said his office sought clarity from the Namibia Sports Commission, but has yet to receive a response on the way forward for rugby.
“We are waiting for things to normalise. I know this is very frustrating for everyone, even you [journalists] as you have a job to do. But we can’t do anything and there is really not much information to give. “Rugby is a contact sport. If guys gather and train, one or two pick up the virus, they then pass it on to their family members,” Grunewald said.
He added that they have been in talks to host some matches for the national senior side, with teams willing to come play, “but the situation will not allow [it]”.
“As you know, the South Africa Rugby Union has also called off amateur rugby competitions. So, it is the same thing everywhere and we continue to observe what happens,” he said.
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