Ireland bans football for troops in Africa (ground is too hard)

[underpants]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gNwrsdiK4A1FbWEvYM0eGpGugSnQ

DUBLIN (AFP) — Irish troops serving in Chad have been banned from playing soccer and volleyball on health and safety grounds -- because the ground is too hard when they fall over, a minister has confirmed.

Defence Minister Willie O'Dea said the ban was brought in by the commander of the 400-strong 99th Infantry Battalion, serving with a UN force in the African country, after a risk assessment of all activities including sports.

"It was the commander's assessment that the risk of hospitalisation or permanent repatriation of personnel due to sports injuries was not acceptable to him as all personnel are required for operational deployments on immediate notice," O'Dea told lawmakers.

"The reality in Chad is that the ground is extremely hard.

"Some of the sports are played out on open ground and when people fall, it tends to have a much greater impact on their bodies than falling in a field in Ireland, where the ground is not nearly as hard."

He added: "As far as I am aware, one soldier suffered a serious injury as a result of engaging in sport."

[sakabatou]

1. ::facepalm::