Cricket South Africa has suspended all forms of cricket in the country due to the pandemic of COVID-19 pandemic for the next two months. The CSA released in a statement after their nation’s president Cyril Ramaphosa declared South Africa as a state of disaster on Sunday. CSA decided to suspend all cricket activities across the country as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the Corona Virus in South Africa.
Cricket South Africa released a statment that reads, “Cricket South Africa (CSA) has taken the decision to immediately terminate all forms of cricket in the country, for the next 60 days, namely: First-class cricket; List A cricket (Momentum Cup); All semi-professional and provincial cricket; as well as All Junior and Amateur cricket.”
Coronavirus outbreak has lead to more than 6000 deaths, infecting over 1,60,000 people across the globe. Major sporting events have been either canceled or postponed across the world. Acting Chief Executive for Cricket South Africa, Dr. Jacques Faul has called upon members and all other connected sporting bodies to stay away from cricket and make sure there aren’t any large gatherings.
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“We at CSA … will most certainly use our leverage to ensure that we minimize the impact of the virus in our spaces,” he said.
“Consequently and during this time of absolute caution and surveillance, we would like to call upon all our members and affiliates to desist from taking part in any cricket related gatherings and other transversal events that will include the congregation of large numbers of people and/or up-to 100 people.”
South Africa’s men cricket team lead by Quinton de Kock is currently in Kolkata. The team was shifted into a hotel nearby to their airport for their safety and convenience. The Proteas are ready to fly out of India on Tuesday morning. The Africans will have a halt in Dubai before they reach home. The team was in Kolkata in for the 3rd ODI which was eventually called off due to the outbreak spread of CoronaVirus.
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South Africa Women’s’ series against Australia women also suffers from a similar fate. Scheduled to happen later this month, The two-month suspension of all sporting activities means the franchise one-day cup competitions will also have to be rescheduled.
The South African authorities’ sporting boards have also suspended various events like the Premier Soccer League, Super Rugby, and the Two Oceans Marathon among others.
