THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has flung open the gates for fans to return to sporting venues almost two years after the ban imposed as a way to curb the spread of COVID-19.

About 2 000 vaccinated fans will be allowed in the stadium to watch Chibuku Super Cup matches while the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) was also given the greenlight to take in spectators for international matches.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union, Zimbabwe Equestrian Federation and Motorsport Zimbabwe were also given the go-ahead to allow 250 fully vaccinated people to physically attend their events.

The Chibuku Super Cup weekend fixtures start tomorrow with a deadrubber Group 1 match featuring Yadah and Herentals at the National Sports Stadium.

Two other matches will be played on Sunday, with Harare City taking on Dynamos at Baobab Stadium while Caps United clash with ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium.

In a statement, ZC announced that a limited number of spectators will be allowed at the Queens Sports Club, the venue of the women’s one-day international (ODI) series between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

“A limited number of spectators will be allowed into the stadium to watch the ODI series between Zimbabwe Women and Bangladesh Women at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo next month provided they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” the statement read.

“The ODIs between Zimbabwe Women and Bangladesh Women — scheduled for November 10, 12 and 15 at Queens Sports Club — will thus serve as a trial run for the safe return of spectators to stadiums.”

ZC said only 1 000 fans who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to watch each of the matches in person and they will be required to produce their vaccination cards and positive identification for inspection at the venue.

ZC managing director Givemore Makoni shared his excitement at the return of fans.

“We have been missing the excitement and energy that fans bring to the game and we will be thrilled to welcome them for the first time in nearly two years as we host Bangladesh Women at Queens Sports Club in November,” Makoni said.

Zimbabwe Women and Bangladesh Women will be using the ODI series in Bulawayo as part of their final preparations for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifier 2021 that will be staged in Harare from November 21 to December 5.

The 10-team global tournament will decide the remaining three participants for the 50-over ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand.

Apart from Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, the other teams participating in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 are West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and the United States.