Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has announced the lifting of the ban on contact sports in the country after months of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President made this announcement in a televised speech to the nation on measures taken against the spread of Coronavirus.
“Towards the progressive easing of restrictions, Government has taken the decision to allow the resumption of training in all contact sports, taking into consideration the imminent participation of our national teams in international competitions.
Indeed, some national teams have already been given the dispensation to begin training, ahead of their international engagements. All sports people, who are camped, are to be tested regularly. President Nana Addo said.
“With respect to football, after due consultations with the Ghana Football Association, it has been decided that the Ghana Premier League and the Division One Football League will restart on Friday, 30th October, with a full regime of testing of the players, technical and management staff.
“No spectators will be allowed at the training centres, and, when actual competition resumes, seating at all stadia will be limited to twenty-five percent (25%) capacity to ensure social distancing.
“Wearing of masks by spectators at stadia will be mandatory. The restart of all other sporting competitions will be determined on a case-by-case basis, pending consultations between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the respective sport associations.”
Ghana placed a ban on contact sports on March 16, 2020 after the country recorded its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the GFA subsequently annulled the 2019/2020 league season.
