The Ministry of Sports has released a revised sports resumption guidelines that will see different sporting activities gradually resume.
In the new directive, all federations are expected to submit weekly returns of COVID-19 tests carried out on active athletes.
COVID-19 testing will be mandatory at the cost of Sports Federations, Sports Organisations, participants, or event organizers as applicable for all competitions while team Kenya testing costs shall be met by the Government.
The latest development will mark a sigh of relief for sports personalities in the country especially after the unexpected halt on March 26.
On May 1, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the resumption will be guided by the guidelines to be issued by the Ministry of Sports jointly with the Ministry of Health.
Ambassador Amina’s announcement comes thirteen days after the announcement and already some federations are putting in place final touches for resumption.
The Ministry of Sorts has also directed private fitness clubs to re-open but at the same time observe all the containment measures.
The Football Kenya Federation last week anticipated for the greenlight and their timing for the league resumption came at a perfect time. The FKF Premier League matches resume on Friday with Kariobangi Sharks taking on Kakamega Homeboyz at Utalii Grounds.
“COVID-19 testing will be mandatory at the cost of Sports Federations, Sports Organisations, participants, or event organizers as applicable for all competitions. Team Kenya testing costs shall be met by the Government.” Amb. Amina said in a statement.
“The Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Health will continue with the sportspersons’ vaccination program on priority basis.”
“Federations entering teams for international events will be required to seek travel clearance from the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage and the designated Team Medical Personnel (with training in Medicine).”
“The Ministry will not authorize travel to countries where the COVID-19 case load is established to be high or where the Ministry of Health advises to be high risk.”
“ All Under 18 Sports remain suspended. Special consideration will be granted to National Teams preparing for select international events.”
Meanwhile the Ministry of Sports has announced that the first batch of Team Kenya for the 2020 Olympic Games is scheduled to depart July 5 for a 12-day training camp in Kurume City, Japan before heading to Tokyo to compete for the Summer Games.