In the wake of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association's decision to shutdown its Grassroots Programme on Providenciales, for what it says was cost associated to COVID testing, the Sports Commission has issued a statement clarifying the debacle. The following is the statement issued last Thursday evening:
On 10th March 2021, Cabinet granted approval for the commencement of Phase One- “Return of Training” (for specified teams) as of 11th March 2021 which would be monitored and reviewed periodically as to continuance and eventual advancement to the subsequent phases.
The Specific teams which were granted approval were teams associated with: •The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association •The Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletic Association •The Turks and Caicos Islands Swim Federation
The approval for resumption was related to ‘𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦’ preparation for international competition. All listed Federations had previously advised the Sports Commission of Scheduled International competition.
Upon further review, on 28th April, Cabinet approved the opening of the following phases:
•It granted approval for the commencement of 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐨 “Return to Training-close contact” for all sports and 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 “Return to Domestic competition” for selected sports (Track and Field, Swimming and Football) to commence on the 1st of May. Such approval is to be monitored and reviewed periodically as to continuance and eventual advancement to the subsequent phases. •It noted that this approval was subject to implementation for 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 and or vaccination for participants and the organizers presenting the Ministry of Health with their protocols for testing.
Please note that the approval for resumption is related to ‘𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦’ preparation for international competition. To this end, the relaxed regulations does not apply to free play nor unstructured or structured sporting activities unrelated to National Team Preparation.
The public should also note that COVID 19 testing, both PCR and Antigen, are available free of charge to all residents within the TCI through the Ministry of Health Community Testing programme. In addition, TCIG has an MOU with private clinic across the TCI to also provide FREE testing to TCI residents.
We must continue to balance lives and livelihoods which includes the controlled resumption of sporting activities.
National Federations were forwarded all required protocols and are required to submit the following information prior to resumption of activities:
1.The names and contact of two critical posts: •𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 (NGB officer) •𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 (physician)
2.COVID 19 risk assessment and Mitigation plan which includes weekly negative COVID 19 results
For further information or clarification, feel free to contact the Sports Commission at info.sportscommission@gov.tc.
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