The organisers of the Bayhill Premier Cup have confirmed that there will be no tournament this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will be the second successive year that the illustrious annual under-19 tournament will not take place.
The Full Statement:
Firstly, on behalf of the Bayhill Premier Cup Organizing Committee (BPCOC) I wish to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to those clubs that lost players, administrators, supporters, as well as family members to this devastating pandemic covid-19.
As you aware, the President has expressed his concern with the rapid increase of the spread of the virus during the covid-19 pandemic. It has also been announced that there is a new variant of the virus. Many people have lost their lives as we are told that this new variant spreads faster.
It was with this reasoning that the President of the country announced the decision to move from alert level 1 lockdown to the new alert level 3 lock-down. Various restriction has either been enhanced, or amended to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.
The Western Cape, Gauteng, KZN and Eastern Cape have during the period that we have last communicated, been declared “hot-spots” by the South African Health Organization.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) National has also stopped all amateur football from taking place until further notice. No amateur football under the SAFA banner is thus allowed.
The Bayhill Premier Cup organizing committee have been monitoring the situation over the past few weeks. We have observed the following factors:
• The improvement of the current situation shows very slow progress if any.
• The stopping of the amateur wing of football by SAFA could continue in order to
mitigate the spread of the virus.
• Alert level 3 lockdown could continue with the disaster management restrictions
and covid -19 protocols could remain in place indefinitely.
• Should we move to alert level 2 or 1, restrictions could still remain for some time.
• There is also talk about the possibility of a third (3rd) wave of the covid-19
pandemic.
• The biggest dilemma will be the restricted number of people allowed to attend the
event.
• The event could be declared a potential “Super Spreader” as we know the huge
support the BPC attracts.
• There is not enough time to plan and prepare for the event in order to maintain the
standard that is expected of the BPC.
• Participants will not have sufficient time to prepare as facilities have been closed.
• The BPCOC could not engage with external stakeholders, and is not confident that
the event will be as successful as per the norm.
Decision by the Bayhill Premier Cup Organising Committee (BPCOC):
After considering the various factors, we have decided that it would not be practical, viable and feasible to continue with the BPC of 2021. We have also concluded that it would be irresponsible of us to risk hosting a potential super spreader, and by so doing, endanger the lives of players, administrators, officials and spectators.
We deem the situation beyond our control, and have no option but to cancel the event for 2021.
We implore you to stay safe: Wear a mask, sanitize, wash your hands and practice social distance.
Patrick J Williams
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: BAYHILL PREMIER CUP