Times Of Swaziland: BUFFS SUSPEND TRAINING

BUFFS SUSPEND TRAINING
================================================================================
Ntokozo Magongo on 26/03/2020 08:31:00


MBABANE – MTN Premier League leaders Young Buffaloes will suspend training
after the government announced a 20-day lockdown, starting tomorrow.
The army side continued with training in the last week despite calls from some
football authorities to cancel all football activities including training.
Buffaloes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandile Gwebu confirmed the suspension
of training yesterday. “Training for all the teams in the club (seniors,
development sides and women) is hereby suspended until May 4, 2020 where we
shall assess the situation. All staff members have been requested to stay at
home,” he said.
“We as the soccer community, are not immune to what is happening around the
world hence my plea to all the soccer supporters and nation at large to adhere
to the instructions that are being given from time to time. We have to
understand that this is being done for our own safety and the ones next to us
and when it comes to human life, nothing can compete with that. I fully
understand the anxiety and uncertainty in regard to the football season; there
may be a lot of questions that are buzzing through our minds, but I appeal to
every ‘Amathole’ supporter to remain calm as a direction will be given,
which I believe will be in the best interest of human life and the sport at
large,” he said.
Training
Gwebu said the team followed all the precautions while it was training.
“Buffaloes took the following measures in trying to keep our staff, including
players, safe. All players and staff for the club have been trained on the best
practices to mitigate the spread of this pandemic. Thermometers have been
purchased and put in place to check temperatures for everyone in the club and if
there are suspicious cases, follow up procedures are to be done in terms of
investigation and directives from our medical department.
Water points were increased in our training grounds and soap provided.
Alcohol-based sanitisers to help improve hygiene for everyone was being
provided,” he said. “We wish everyone associated with this club to be safe
during this period and please, once again, I appeal that we do away with
unwarranted movements. It is during this time that it is best to be at home. We
are also appealing that you keep yourselves healthy by exercising at home with
your family and if you feel any symptoms of the virus, don’t hesitate to visit
the hospital for assistance and care,” he said. Gwebu said he kept everyone
within the team updated but as yet, the team was well.