No spectators for AUSC Region 5 Games

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE ninth edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Under-20 Games set for Maseru, Lesotho, next month will be held without any spectators in line with Covid-19 health protocols and guidelines.

AUSC Region 5 chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya said unlike previous editions of the Games, athletes will also not be housed according to their countries, but sport codes.

“In an effort to avoid making these Games a Covid-19 super-spreader, stringent compliance regulations and protocols have been put in place. The Games will be played with no spectators and the number of dignitaries is being limited to avoid crowding of spaces at competition and non-competition sites. Unlike in the past where teams were accommodated per country, allocation of accommodation in the 2021 Games Villages as well as access to the Games dining halls will be by sport code. This is an effort to isolate any incidences in the unlikelihood of Covid-19 cases being recorded,” said Mutoya.

He expressed satisfaction with preparations on the ground, as organisers race to meet deadlines ahead of the arrival of athletes and officials from 14 countries that have confirmed participation in the Games.

The 14 countries comprise Region 5 member states as well as four non-members, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar and Mauritius, which will field football sides only.

“As we speak, contractors are on site rehabilitating the road to Rapokolana High Altitude Centre where swimming is going to be held. This is in addition to the works currently underway at the National Tennis Centre, and Setsoto Stadium where contractors are in the final stages of laying a new athletics tartan track,” Mutoya said.

Work is also underway in rehabilitating the Lesotho College of Education and National University of Lesotho which will serve as Games Villages together with the Rapokolana High Altitude Centre where swimming will be based.

The 11 Sports Confederations on the Games programme have finalised identification of all international and local technical officials.

All technical officials are in the process of completing appointment contracts to formalise their engagement.