With the current Covid-19 outbreak being declared a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, some major local PE events have been cancelled or postponed owing to this public health crisis.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa, among other things, introduced strict travel bans and declared that schools close today (Wednesday) instead of Friday, and to reopen only after the Easter holidays.
Ironman African Championships
This international event that was originally scheduled to take place on March 29 in Nelson Mandela Bay, has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a statement sent out by Ironman African Championships on Friday (March 13), the event will now take place later this year, on November 15.
The announcement was made after a meeting between the organisation and the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDH) on Friday.
In its statement, Ironman said that “due to the unforeseen pandemic and in alignment with the ECDH, race officials and local authorities,” they had decided to postpone.
“Athletes registered for the event will receive an e-mail with further details. In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we recognise that the postponement may come as a disappointment, but look forward to providing athletes with an exceptional race experience in the future,” the statement read.
Guinness PRO14 season
The current Guinness PRO14 season has been suspended, the Isuzu Southern Kings announced on their website. “The PRO14 is an international league. Cross border travel is inevitable and that brings with it unique challenges.
“With governments in Italy and Ireland already putting in place clear directives and restrictions around public activities and travel, the decision to suspend the competition is appropriate. It is in the best interests of everyone that games are not played at this time.
“The suspension has been directed by the board of Celtic Rugby DAC and will remain under constant review,” the statement read.
Tournament director of PRO14 Rugby, David Jordan, said they made this decision with everyone’s welfare foremost in their minds. “With an evolving situation in the five countries that take part in Guinness PRO14, it is important to make a clear decision that is in keeping with the advice of the various governments involved.”
Resumption of the 2019/20 season will now become a matter of constant review.
Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa Conference
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Seas Trust has also announced the postponement of its international conference that was set to take place in Nelson Mandela Bay in April 2020, due to the global spread of the coronavirus.
The “Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa” Conference would have seen at least 350 international, national and local delegates in attendance – coming from Africa, Asia, Australia, America and Europe.
Head of communications of the Sustainable Seas Trust, Sharné Woods, said the trust and its board of trustees felt that safeguarding the health of all who attend the conference must take precedence over all other considerations.
“Postponing the conference until it is safer to travel is the responsible thing to do. We have not taken this decision lightly, but thoroughly consulted our international advisory panel and government authorities, including the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and United Nations’ Environmental Programme.”
A new date will be set for a time when global travel is less restricted.
Wimpy South African Lifesaving National Champs
This event, that was originally scheduled to take place in Nelson Mandela Bay from March 19 to March 25, has been cancelled with immediate effect.
President of Lifesaving South Africa, Dhaya Sewduth, said that they have been monitoring the development of the pandemic.
“Having consulted with the Department of Health, provincial and national authorities, and with the full support of all the event sponsors and partners, the difficult decision was made to cancel the event.
“The health and safety of the athletes, volunteers, staff, sponsors and the South African public are our priority,” Sewduth explained.
Lifesaving South Africa will in due course announce further details on the status of the event.
2020 Toyota National Championships for the Physically Disabled
This event will not go ahead as planned from March 21 to March 25 in Nelson Mandela Bay.
South African Sport Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) president, Moekie Grobbelaar, said that this may come as a shock, as this was one of the main events where athletes could still qualify for Paralympic squads.
“These championships are a cornerstone in development for sportspeople with disabilities, but SASAPD has pledged to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with its decisions. “Despite doing everything possible to create a safe environment for our players and athletes, the risk is just too overwhelming and we cannot put lives at risk,” Grobbelaar said.
Further updates will be made available in due course on their social media platforms.
Spar Kirkwood Wildsfees
The directors and management of the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees have after careful consideration decided not to stage the 2020 event in June due to global CORONA-19 outbreak.
“Rest assured, we have already set the dates and plans in place for 2021, when the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees will be held between June 25 and June 27,” says festival director Jenni Honsbein.
“The decision was not taken lightly,” says Wildsfees board chairperson Paul Marais.
“Even though the planned event fell out of the ban on public gatherings announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, it was decided that staging the 2020 Wildsfees would place too many people at risk, including the thousands of workers in the Sundays River Valley who will be picking what promises to be one of our best citrus crops ever,” says Wildsfees board chairperson Paul Marais.
“The decision has the support and understanding of our sponsors, most of which have committed to the 2021 festival,” he adds.
- Meanwhile, NMB mayor on the interim, Tshonono Buyeye, announced on Monday, March 16, that the Splash festival will also be postponed until further notice.
The SPAR Women’s Challenge, scheduled for this weekend, is also set to take place on a new date still to be decided.
