Mass testing the way to go if sports returns - Gift Ali

Athletes have been the most affected ever since the sports sector in the country was put on hold by President Yoweri Museveni three months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With no sporting activities, that means most of the athletes will not be able to earn a living.

With the lockdown being relaxed, there is hope that the sports industry will operate again but various sports personalities have put forward several ideas that can be adopted to avoid the spread of the virus in case sport is resumed.

KCCA FC midfielder Gift Ali is a firm believer in athletes needing to undergo testing if sport is to resume.

"I think if they (government) can try to copy what other leagues are doing to resume sports amidst the pandemic. We don't know if this pandemic will end soon or if it is here to stay.

In Egypt, they are testing players and they have made sure that they are far away from the public and very soon, their league is going to resume. I think this is one of the procedures the authorities can undertake for sports to resume," stated Ali.

In the same vein, Proline forward Rogers Mato believes sport can resume without fans accessing the stadiums.

"I think we should copy some of the things in countries that have resumed their leagues such as playing without spectators or when they are allowed to come in, they should observe social distancing. The fans motivate us but this is a health matter that needs to be taken seriously," noted Mato.

Wakiso Giants defender Alex Komakech is however calling for mandatory wearing of masks.

"Let it be made mandatory to both players and technical teams to wear masks when sports resumes especially those who are on the bench. This will help to avoid the spread of the disease," opined Komakech.

KCCA defender Peter Magambo is of the view that if the players are tested and they reside in one place, it will help a lot.

"We can also practise mass testing of all players, coaches, and technical staff if possible before resuming and perhaps monitor the situation before we engage in contact with other players. The teams can reside in training camps without moving out to make contact with the outside world because we can risk infecting other players," stated Magambo.

The 2019/20 Uganda Premier League was ended prematurely due to the pandemic but other competitions are yet to be climaxed.

The Stanbic Uganda Cup, the FUFA Big League playoff and other regional leagues are some of the competitions that are supposed to be concluded before the new season gets underway.