2020 CHAN: Is the Coronavirus a threat to host, Cameroon?
The Confederation of African Football, CAF says there will be no cancellation of continental games as of now. So far the host nations of the tournaments continue to keep in touch with the football governing body.
This decision was made known in a CAF press document published on Friday, March 6, 2020 CAF after a meeting in Cairo, Egypt.
“CAF is following with great attention the evolution of the situation of this pandemic affecting our continent. Eight (8) major African football countries have reported cases to date: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon and South Africa.
CAF also stated that they are vigilant with regards to future matches and tournaments such as the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and the final tournament of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to take place in Cameroon from April 4-25, 2020.
Also, CAF has joint various football federations in the world in taking actions and giving precautionary measures to help curb the the COVID-19 (Corona Virus).
“CAF has mandated the Medical Committee to monitor the evolution of this disease and to set up measures to protect the health of players and all actors of the game.”
The continental football body further revealed that they have set a team under the authority of the CAF President, made up of experts from various fields, particularly medical, who are essentially responsible for the health of the players and the members of the African football family.
2020 CHAN: Public Health Boss Reassures The Participating Delegations
In the wake of two confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Cameroon, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachi says there is no need to panic as the country will host the 2020 CHAN.
The Public Health boss was speaking during a joint press conference on Covid-19 organised by the Minister of Communication, Public Health and Livestock and Fisheries.
Responding to a worry from a journalist who sought to know if CHAN could be cancelled due the confirmed cases of the pandemic, the Minster said there is nothing to worry about just yet.
He said Cameroon will host the upcoming CHAN because the situation of the coronavirus is under control.
“We will function scientifically during the competition, there is no possibility of annulation as of now, because no factor can favour this decision in Cameroon. On the contrary, we will have stricter measures to follow-up each and every participant during the competition”, Public Health Minister noted.
During the press conference, Minister Manaouda also made a review of preventive measures implemented by the government since the outbreak of the virus in December 2019.
He said Isolation rooms have also been created in the Douala Laquintinine hospital, the Yaounde Central hospital and airports in both cities to enhance control.
Within the last two months, the public health boss revealed that thermal cameras and Thermoflash devices were acquired for screening passengers at the Douala and Yaounde airports, and other entry points.
Teams comprising 30 persons have been deployed to each region as part of the measures to help curb the virus
Coronavirus Outbreak: Sports World Is Already Dealing With A New Reality
The outbreak of the coronavirus has continued to have a toll on many international sporting events worldwide.
Globally, the outbreak has forced schedule and location changes for soccer games, car races, cycling tours, football games and other competitions.
Some other games have been exercised in closed doors, without fans, for fear of the continuous spread.
Major competitions have been postponed, moved or cancelled throughout Asia and the world at large. In Italy, government officials announced that no fans should attend sporting events, including big-time soccer matches, for at least a month.
Morocco has suspended all sporting events in her territory until further notice.
Many have also expressed their worries if the 2020 Olympics games in Tokyo will take place but the the Olympics committee said in a statement, “We have never discussed cancelling the Games”.
The current version of the coronavirus, COVID-19, has infected more than 95,000 people and killed more than 3,500 worldwide since it was first detected in China late last year.
Benly Anchunda