BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Government’s decision to have sport organisations hold their season without spectators has forced the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) to put a hold on the start of its season.
As was reported earlier by SKNVibes Sports, heads of all sport organisations in the Federation were last week summoned to a meeting with the Minister of Sport, where they were informed of the decision.
A statement issued by the Department of Sport confirmed the decision, which was already done so by the Minister of Sport, Jonel Powell to this publication.
In that statement, the Department explained: “Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, and more specifically the Department of Sport, on the advice of the Cabinet and the National COVID-19 Task Force, has taken the decision that permission to host all inter-team and inter-club competitive matches shall be granted to the exclusion of spectators until further notice.”
It was noted that the decision was taken on the heels of an upsurge in COVID-19 reported cases in the Caribbean Sub-region as well as travel source markets to St. Kitts and Nevis.
That decision had forced the postponement of last Wednesday’s President’s Cup and the subsequent delay in the start of the season scheduled for this weekend.
The SKNFA, in announcing the delay, explained that it is still in discussions with the COVID-19 Task Force for the approval to commence football matches.
Football has come under the Task Force’s spotlight after the successful staging of the Super Six tournament which, despite the necessary protocols, had near capacity crowds.
The Department of Sport disclosed that during the Tuesday, February 2, 2021 meeting, the exclusion of spectators from competitions as well as several other matters were discussed, while the Ministry pledged its full support to each discipline.
“The absence of spectators from sporting competitions does not limit in any way the playing of any sport or the holding of any competitions. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture has led by example in recent times through the hugely successful virtual presentation of National Carnival, and SugarMas 49, and encourages all sporting associations to devise creative means by which fans can view their various competition,” the Department reminded.
