KSAFA to discuss virus protocol

President of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), Wayne Shaw, says his organisation will be convening a meeting this week, to discuss safeguards against the coronavirus disease.

Over 100,000 individuals have been infected, while 3,600 persons have died from the virus worldwide and although Jamaica has not yet recorded a single confirmed case, Shaw told The Gleaner that is administration is taking the matter seriously and will be working to ensure that all the clubs are educated and aware of the measures that will be taken in case of an outbreak of the coronavirus.

“We are taking it very seriously because we can’t wait until it happens before we react and so we are going to put plans in the place,” said Shaw.

KSAFA is one of the top football organisations in the country. They have 32 clubs under their banner and administer several age group and senior competitions that includes Under-10, Under-13 and Under-17 tournaments as well as the Major and Super League.

“We are going to be meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow) to chart a way forward and set some plans in the event that this virus does comes to Jamaica,” he added. “We are going to have to reiterate all the preventive measures to clubs to let them understand what is going on and the seriousness about it.”

MEDICAL PERSONNEL

The KSAFA boss underlines that his association would secure additional medical personnel if there is a need to do so during matches this season.

“Remember that the same clubs that play in the Super League are the same ones that compete in the youth competitions and therefore we will be ensuring that all preventative measures are filtered down to the youngsters in these clubs because this is very important to us,” Shaw said.

“We will have to have more medical persons to ensure that we test fever and stuff like that throughout the competitions and before matches if necessary,” he said.

“We are well aware of what is going on around and we are keeping abreast with what Health Minister Christopher Tufton is saying and so we are on top of things right now,” Shaw noted.