OPERATORS of circumcision schools in Limpopo have agreed to lift some of the restrictions and traditional rules and regulations in favour of the World Cup.

The circumcision of initiates is clashing with the big soccer event.

Khosi Vusani Netshimbupfe, chairperson of the task team monitoring the process of running the Koma schools, says soccer fever has forced them to allow TV sets to be installed in the schools to allow initiates to be part of the event.

The task team said says it cannot stop the opening of the schools but can have some of the restrictions lifted so that both events can run without compromising each other.

Netshimbupfe said they had agreed that TV sets would be allowed in the bush for those who can afford them "but only through agreement with organising stakeholders".

But he said no other devices of any kind that record visuals would be allowed at circumcision schools.

According to the task team, there had been an increase in the number of initiates since the World Health Organisation affirmed circumcision as a tool to reduce the scourge of Aids.

According to statistics, more than 30000 initiates were circumcised last year, an improved figure compared with 2008, which stood at 27000.

Tshivhengwa Ramaliba, a researcher at the University of Venda, said initiation schools had for years protected against family violence and human health.

"Cultures accepted that their traditional practice was important when it was shown that Aids could be fought through Koma."

But Ramaliba criticised the introduction of TV sets in the bush, saying this would destroy the lessons.