SA leaves AUSC Games midway over Covid-19 fears

Mabeleme Mokete

Maseru – Team SA has suddenly withdrawn from the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games currently under way in Maseru, citing fears of increasing Covid-19 infections.

In a statement dated December 7, 2021, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) announced Team SA has withdrawn from the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games with immediate effect due to the increased numbers of the Covid-19 positive cases in the Games. 

SASCOC said some of SA athletes have also tested positive for Covid-19 and the cases have already been contained. Team SA management said they have decided to take safety precautions and made a decision to return the squad to South Africa for the safety of the athletes since the management does not want to run the risk of having any more of its athletes becoming infected. 

The Games are scheduled to end on December 12, 2021.