The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
SWIMMING action in Bulawayo is set to make a return early next month following the approval of the resumption of competitions by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) wrote to Zimbabwe Aquatic Union president, Mary Kloppers on Tuesday informing her of the approval by the ministry. Swimming was classified as a low risk discipline in May with swimmers being allowed back into the pool.
Kloppers confirmed the approval, adding that Harare Swimming Board had already planned competitions over the weekend.
According to a proposed programme Bulawayo will hold its first gala on 10 October, with several other events scheduled for the rest of the season. Kloppers said competitions will be held under strict regulations that have been set by the SRC to curtail the spread of Covid-19.
Only 50 spectators will be allowed into competitions while evening galas are banned with a 50m pool accommodating six swimmers only and four being allowed into a 25m one. Other regulations include wearing of masks, social distancing, disinfecting venues and only 34 officials and 16 coaches allowed.
Zimbabwe Swimming president, Tracey Doorman said they are elated by the resumption of competitions but are faced with the challenge of pools as schools are not hiring out their pools at the moment.
“Most clubs use school pools for training but these are not open yet to members of the public so we have a challenge in that regard. We had also applied to be given permission to use the school pools but since it is a different ministry, we have not been given a response yet. Under the regulations only four pools have been approved for use during competitions and these are Les Brown and Chispite School in Harare, City Pool in Bulawayo, Mutare City Pool and Murray MacDougal in Triangle,” she said.
Doorman said swimmers had already been training following the classification of the sport as low risk and had been looking forward to resuming competitions.
She however, said there is still uncertainty on when international competitions will return with only about three African countries having given the sport permission to resume.
