By MICHAEL MIYOBA
TEAM Zambia’s pre-Olympic Games camping in Japan has been cancelled following a rise in Covid-19 cases in Zambia, National Olympic Committee of Zambia president Alfred Foloko has confirmed.
In a statement, Foloko said the Japanese government informed NOCZ that quarantining facilities to manage the physical conditions of Zambian athletes in case they test positive may not be sufficient.
“We were scheduled to camp in Asahi-Chiba for two weeks from July 9 until the commencement of the Games on July 23.
“In view of the latest development, we wish to announce that all our athletes will be camped in Zambia through a bubble. However, the date and place of camping will be announced in the next few days,” Foloko said.
Foloko said that athletes will now depart for the games on different dates close to their date of competition and not July 7 as was earlier expected.
He said NOCZ remains committed to ensuring that Zambian athletes get the best preparations ahead of the Olympics and also see to it that they are well taken care of with efforts to avoid contracting the virus.
Foloko urged athletes and coaches to take personal responsibilities of their health concerns ahead of the Tokyo Games starting on July 7.
He said NOCZ will be on standby to ensure that intensified training is applied for all the athletes going to Japan even in the absence of international camping.
