Matthew: Logistics for return of Mondo technicians being discussed

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Once the Mondo surface is laid, the track will be accredited international status with times and or records being recognised by the world’s governing body for the sport.
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By Neto Baptiste

A number of issues continue to hamper the restart of rehabilitation work at the country’s lone track and field facility, the YASCO Sports Complex, including the logistics surrounding the planned return of two Mondo technicians.

This was revealed by Minister of Sports, Daryll Matthew, who said he has been in contact with the international track builders.

“I actually wrote to the gentleman in charge of the project at Mondo and there are a couple of issues, the first one being able to fly from Panama and Italy and the second one being whether or not they would have to quarantine when they arrive. One of the concerns that are out there is that if these two gentlemen come in then they are subjected to quarantine for two weeks and their [Mondo] concern is that this project may take three or maybe four weeks to have the track implemented and if you add a two-week quarantine on top of that then they may be here for about six weeks and so who pays them for that extra two weeks,” he said.

Work at the track and field facility came to a halt in March this year as Mondo appointed technicians departed for their respective homes in light of the worldwide spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Matthew is confident that the issues will be rectified in due course.

“There are a bunch of different issues that we are speaking to them about but the first and biggest one is the ability to reach to Antigua and once they can address that part of it and then we will look at the other ancillary issues such as the quarantine period and who covers the cost while they are in quarantine and not the cost of the quarantine but their salary while they are not working for two weeks in Antigua,” the sports minister said.

Once the Mondo surface is laid, the track will be accredited international status with times and or records being recognised by the world’s governing body for the sport, World Athletics, formerly the IAAF.

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