Western Cape Tennis recently got the go-ahead for a return to play from the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture after their sport plan was approved.
The Federation received confirmation from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture that their plan for the hosting of limited events and the return of phase 2 players (all categories of club players) has been approved.
The return however sees very strict measures in place, with the confirmation emphasising that: “The sport bodies are urged to take note of and implement the comments from the health authorities, as applies to each of them.”
Tennis Western Cape are now awaiting the above mentioned comments from the health authorities (due this week) before being able to confirm the exact date for when phase 2 players will be able to resume.
They say while people may view this as a cautious approach, with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise across the country, they want to ensure the return of phase 2 players is aligned to government protocols.
For example – they do not know yet whether phase 2 players will be allowed to return across all nine provinces, or whether there may be limitations per province.
The above does not affect the phase 1 players (4 categories of players) – who are now back on court.
Riad Davids, President of Western Cape Tennis, said they were elated with the news. Their plan for how tennis can return was accepted on 17 June and based on what they proposed in terms of compliance, it took them two days to get everything in order for a return.
Clubs got sanitised, thermometers were bought, compliance officers were appointed, certificates were issued and play could resume. Davids said COVID-19 forced clubs who were not registered with a Federation to register and as many as 20 clubs registered with Tennis Western Cape since they have received the green light to play again.
If you were not a member of Tennis SA, you were not allowed to play.
While the league players can enjoy the action again, social players have to wait for government to change the regulations with either an easing of Lockdown level 3 or a move to level 2. Davids says he does not expect that to happen in the next month and he advises social players to join a registered league club.
