Sports

‘NO TEEING OFF!’

…State orders golfers to pack their bags

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
GOVERNMENT has ordered the Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) to immediately suspend all golfing activities or face the wrath of the law.
This follows the decision by ZGU on Wednesday to lift the suspension of golfing activities at the four Lusaka-based clubs despite Zambia recording 39 cases which includes one death.
Despite Lusaka being an epicentre, the ZGU gave a go ahead to resume activities at Lusaka Golf Club, Chilanga, Chainama and Bonanza.
At a briefing yesterday, Health Minister, Chitalu Chilufya said ZGU had abrogated the Presidential directive and the statutory instruments signed to fight the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
He said President Edgar Lungu was concerned that golfers had continued with their activities when the rest of the sports fraternity had stopped all activities.
“The ZGU is being directed to cease their operations immediately and it is the President’s concern that they decided to continue with some activities when many other sporting associations have actually suspended all activities,”
“So ZGU you are being guided and directed to ensure you stop gathering and allow this phase to pass. It is the President’s directive to ensure that mass gatherings are restricted,” Dr Chilufya said.
ZGU week ago decided to cancel their activities after 20 golfers who travelled to Dubai were rounded up and asked to self-isolate although they tested negative for the Covid-19.
In a circular ZGU president Christopher Mulenga lifted the suspension and called on clubs to adhere to preventive measures.
“After having considered the merits of your appeal and the measures so far implemented, I am happy to inform you that the ZGU has decided to lift the ban on playing of social golf with immediate effect.”
“We also had to make a delicate balance of measures you have taken including non-usage of the caddies, screening all golfers for latest countries visited with the levels of risk,” he said.
The number of confirmed virus cases worldwide has risen above 1.1 million, according to yesterday’s tally from Johns Hopkins University.
A total of 1,118,921 people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus across the world, with a death toll of 58, 937, while more than 226, 000 patients have recovered.

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