Postponing CAN 2015 is Not Only a Moroccan Issue

Marrakech- The outbreak of the Ebola Virus in West Africa prompted Morocco to ask for African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2015 to be postponed.

But the request, which was sent on 10 October 2014 to the African Football Federation (CAF), was turned down without the CAF taking into account the serious effects that might be brought about because of such event.

Due to this rejection, every Moroccan and any country that will take part in the tournament should worry about such a decision, taken as non-debatable issue, because changes have never been made to the schedule in the past, as CAF claimed.

Ebola first appeared in remote villages in Central Africa near tropical rainforests, and takes its name of the Ebola River in Sudan. It has taken many lives since its first cases in Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan in 1976, an outbreak that killed about 481 people, according to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics.

“Ebola hemorrhagic fever”, as it is known, is a mortal illness in humans. Its transmission occurs easily because of peoples’ direct and close contact, and from close contact with wild animals. It is also difficult to be distinguished from other diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis.

Every person who cares about the health in the world should pose questions that might help understand why Morocco was right in asking the CAF to postpone the upcoming of the African Cup of Nations.

Is Morocco really ready to face this ghost disease? Does is have the suitable means to reduce the contact between infected people and others in an event such as this continent-wide football tournament?

Does is have the means to protect its citizens, mainly those who serve in hospitals and airports, who are supposed to have direct contact with people who might be infected?

What measures are participating countries taking when sending their players and fans abroad?

What measures will the WHO take for this event in terms of supporting surveillance, community engagement, case management, laboratory services, contact tracing, infection control, and logistical support?

The answer is simple: Morocco does not have the means to face the fallout of a potential outbreak of Ebola.

This event will be a very large gathering and will bring together people who could have been infected with this deadly disease.

Being realistic might save lives of many Africans. Thus, to ask the CAF to postpone the CAN is not only a Moroccan issue, but also a global one.