Kenyan government allows 'low risk' contact sports to resume

The government Friday allowed all contact sports that are considered to be low risk to resume in the county but under strict Covid-19 containment protocols.

However, according to the communication from the Ministries of Sports and Health to newsrooms, only top tier leagues should resume. This now opens way for the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, which was set to kick-off this weekend, to go ahead.

For contact sports that are considered to be high risk, they will remain closed until further notice.

“All contact Sports (Low-Risk) may resume their Premier (Tier 1) league and Team Kenya activities. All other activities related to lower level leagues remain suspended. All contact sports (high-risk) remain suspended,” said part of the statement by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

FKF has lined up three matches to be played on Saturday, with the highlight being AFC Leopards against Tusker FC at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.

Vihiga United against Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Complex in Kakamega and Bandari against Sofapaka at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa in the other season opening encounters.

Other contact sports that have been allowed to resume are hockey, netball, handball, volleyball, basketball, ice hockey, hurling, baseball, softball, rollball and floorball.

According to the guidelines, all the federations have been tasked with ensuring the compliance of Covid-19 protocols, which include no spectators being allowed at any sporting event during the matches.

The contact sports that are considered and ordered to remain closed are boxing, American football, judo, karate, rugby, wrestling, taekwondo and wheelchair rugby. The rest are kabaddi, Tong-il Moo do, kick boxing, skating football, amputee football and Team building activities.