A spike in Covid-19 cases in Papua New Guinea could force local sporting competitions back into hibernation.
Authorities in PNG have said there have been two deaths suspected to be related to Covid-19 and a new positive case has brought the total number of infections to 63.
Prime Minister James Marape said the government was looking at restricting sporting activities in the national capital district for 14 days.
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape announces a two-week lockdown in the capital Port Moresby amid a surge in covid-19 cases, 27 July 2020. Photo: PNG PM Media
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Chairman, Sandis Tsaka, hoped that was not the case.
"Because of the rise in Covid cases in Port Moresby they have introduced a 14 day restriction within the city and they are basically trying to introduce a shutdown of the city for the next 14 days," he said.
Lae Snax Tigers are the defending Digicel Cup champions. Photo: Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League
The Digicel Cup domestic competition had been running for the past four weeks and Tsaka said a lot of hard work went into getting rugby league back on the field again.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed but we are also mindful and know the work of our rugby league players, officials and the public will be of paramount consideration," he said.
The National Soccer League was set to restart in Lae and Port Moresby this weekend after a four and a half month absence.
Vitiaz United are the surprise leaders in the PNG National Soccer League. Photo: PNG Football Association
PNG Football Association President, John Kapi Natto, was still hopeful of getting the green light from the Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning.
"I am in the [PNG] Sports Foundation also and we are trying to put our justification to the State Controller to say that we can play but without crowds and we will not allow the crowds to enter into Port Moresby for the games."
With eight rounds still to be completed in the regular season plus playoffs, Kapi Natto said the plan was for all remaining games to be staged in Port Moresby and Lae, with teams based in the Highlands and Madang to play their home matches in Morobe's provincial capital.