Coronavirus: USF ponders postponement of events

CORONAVIRUS & SPORTS

The Uganda Swimming Federation will in the coming one or two months decide on whether to cancel or postpone some events on their calendar due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

USF president Moses Mwase told stakeholders during an online meeting on Friday that the association, just like many other sporting federations, had felt the full brunt of the lockdown announced by government in March.

"We are taking the COVID-19 challenge squarely, knowing that it won't go on forever," he said.

"We will continue engaging in some activities that do not involve face-to-face meetings. A lot of work will continue in the background as we wait for the normalization of active sports.

Federation president Moses Mwase says they are looking ahead to see what is possible and what is not

"We will keep improving our systems and build more support structures to enable us deliver on our mandate effectively," said Mwase.

"We are going to determine in the coming two to three months whether some events should be postponed or cancelled if the lockdown persists."

The Aga Khan Sprints Gala, the Dolphins Junior Championship, the Seals League Meet-2, and the CANA Championships in South Africa (which was an Olympic qualifying event) are some of the activities that have been affected by the lockdown thus far.

Focus for the USF will now turn to the National Age Championships, the National Independence Gala, National Open Water Swimming events, National Swim Sprints, and several coaching clinics, among others, in the remaining months if the lockdown is lifted.

Uganda has been in lockdown since the beginning of April

Uganda is also hoping to host the regional CANA Zone 111 Swimming Championships in November.

The USF also postponed its Annual General Assembly, which should have happened on March 21, and is now considering hosting an online assembly if the lockdown is prolonged.

"I want to assure our swimmers in and outside Uganda that we empathize with them all and ask them not to get frustrated," said Mwase.

"But most importantly, I ask them to observe all government guidelines necessary for us all to fight and defeat the COVID-19 pandemic."



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