The PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kapua Kapua, after reading Cricket PNG’s submission has confirmed that Cricket PNG is compliant with the lockdown measures in place if we play cricket at Amini Park as described.
Cricket is a non-contact outdoor sport, where at no time are there more than 15 people on the field (11 fielders, 2 batters, and 2 umpires). A cricket field is a large outdoor space, the approximate size of two rugby fields, where it is rare for any player to be within two metres of each other, and even then, they do not touch.
Cricket PNG is very thankful for receiving this confirmation from Dr Kapua and will restart training and playing for the Kumul Petroleum PNG Lewas on Friday October 8.
At all times Cricket PNG will maintain strict Covid Safe protocols and will ensure there are never more than 20 people gathering on the field. There will be no spectators allowed at Amini Park, however, games will be live streamed on www.cricketpng.org.pg for fans to watch.
Cricket PNG is committed to strictly observing the lockdown measures in place and is committed to helping the Government fights the battle we are facing with Covid. Cricket PNG staff and players are all vaccinated, and we encourage everyone in PNG that is eligible to be vaccinated to do so now.
This confirmation comes at a critical time, as our fully vaccinated Kumul Petroleum PNG Lewas only have a few weeks left before they depart to represent PNG in Zimbabwe in their own World Cup Qualifying tournament.
We are thankful that we have received confirmation that we can continue to play cricket at Amini Park while maintaining compliance with the lockdown measures.
