SVGOC not dictating associations’ vaccination policies

It is left up to the various national sporting associations to determine what type of vaccination policy, they want to institute.

That was the clear message sent recently at the Hotel Alexandrina, when national sports associations met to discuss the Covid protocols and the impact on sports and society.

When the matter of vaccination surfaced at the forum, president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee (SVGOC), Stephen Joachim, informed representatives: “Each federation makes its own rules and we respect these rules… You make the decision which you think is right and respond to that”.

In light of the ongoing pandemic, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association has mandated that any player who wants to represent the country in table tennis, must be vaccinated.

Likewise, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association, made a ruling that members of its senior female national team had to be vaccinated in preparation for a regional tournament.

Similarly, the SVG Cricket Association Inc. has issued the declaration that for its upcoming Neil Williams T/20 competition next month, players will have to be vaccinated.

A release from the local cricket authorities stated: “ Each Player must be, at a minimum, two weeks fully vaccinated before being allowed to participate in the tournament…Exemption to this rule applies only to those who would have received an exemption from the Ministry of Health”.

And, whilst other associations have not made it mandatory across the board, they are encouraging players, especially when it comes to national selection, and for travel, to get vaccinated.