By Hananeel Jackson

 Secretary of Bayelsa State Football Association Mr. Diseye Nwankwe has advised teams in Nigeria to adhere to the COVID 19 protocol as the country prepares to commence football activities.

Although the federal government through its Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 announced the reopening of sporting activities including football in the country after they were suspended in March the following the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.

However, in the weekly briefing on Thursday, September 10, the PTF reversed the reopening and apologize to Nigeria’s over the situation while briefing Nigerians on the current situation of the virus and the return of contact sports by the PTF coordinator Dr. Sani Aliyu.

Reacting to the development, Mr.  Nwankwe said strict compliance with the COVID 19 guidelines would help to curtail the spread of the dreaded the virus.

He explained that the periodic medical checkup of teams would reduce the spread of virus among players in their various camps.

On the State Football Association, Mr.  Nwankwesaid said they have received a circular on the resumption of the Nigeria National League NNL which has been on break since last December.

The former Bayelsa United midfielder noted that the FA would monitor activities of club to see if clubs affiliated to the state football governing body are following the COVID 19 practices as directed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

The Secretary of Bayelsa State Football Association, added that with the decline of  the rate of  infection the pandemic, it was imperative to commence football activities.