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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
A RAY of life is beginning to shine on the domestic sports scene after the Sports Commission gave the green light to five national sport associations to allow fans, into their events.
The sports regulator have approved requests from ZIFA, Zimbabwe Cricket, Zimbabwe Rugby Union, Motorsport Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Equestrian Federation. They can allow a limited number of fully vaccinated fans, into their arenas, with strict Covid-19 protocols, in place.
Jamie Kerwin, the secretary of the Bogwheelers Club, who run the motorcycling sport of motocross on behalf of Motorsport Zimbabwe, said they were extremely excited to hear spectators will now be allowed back.
They have been allowed 250 fully vaccinated spectators during their circuits in Harare and Bulawayo.
The Bogwheelers Club are currently preparing to host the country’s premier motorcycling event — the Zimbabwe Summer Series — at Donnybrook Park Raceway in Harare on December 8, 10 and 12.
It is expected to attract top junior and senior motocross riders South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and the United Kingdom.
The Bogwheelers Club are also preparing to host the two-day Arcadia Enduro competition, at Arcadia Dam in Bindura, on November 12 and 13.
“We, at the Bogwheelers Club, are extremely excited to welcome back all our fans to come back and enjoy the sport they love so much.
“They are really going to add some fun to this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series,” Kerwin said.
The Premier Soccer League were allowed 2 000 fully vaccinated fans to grace the remaining Chibuku Super Cup matches.
“We are delighted that 2 000 fully vaccinated fans are now allowed to attend Chibuku Super Cup matches starting with the quarter-finals next week.
“We are currently working on the logistics and will be announcing ticket prices and selling points soon,” said the PSL.
Zimbabwe Women Cricket’s spokesperson, Yvonne Mangunda, said the waiver was a good sign as the nation prepares to host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 in Harare next month.
Apart from Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, the other teams participating in the Qualifier are West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and the United States of America.
“We look forward to have supporters back in the stadium because it means a lot for the ladies,’’ she said.
“It was exciting to play our first (official) ODI series against Ireland but how amazing it would have been if fans were around to also witness what was a historical moment for the ladies?
“We are very excited because it means there is also big hope that when the ICC World Cup Qualifiers are played we may also have fans, because we have big names coming.”
Captain Mary-Anne Musonda said she was looking forward to playing in front of supporters again.
“For us, hosting Bangladesh, we obviously need people supporting us,’’ she said.
“You can only imagine the impact it will have on us, when people are physically there, to back us. So it’s a great thing that supporters are back in the park.
“We hope everything will go well and people will adhere to the Covid-19 protocols in place.’’
Zimbabwe Rugby Union have also been cleared to host up to 250 fully vaccinated spectators, during Northern and Southern Region tournaments.
The same numbers have also been cleared for the Zimbabwe Equestrian Federation events.
Online Reporter