US high schools ordered to stop carrying out post-game handshakes

Kentucky's athletic sanctioning body has ordered high school sports teams to forgo post-game handshakes in order to prevent fights.

Kentucky High School Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett posted on its web site that the organisation has taken this decision after noticing that several fall sports have had postgame incidents, CBS News reported.

Meanwhile, the body said that although it's "disappointing" to take such action, it became necessary because of occurrences state wide and nationally.

The organisation has also instructed game officials to immediately leave facilities after contests or risk being penalized.

It was made clear that teams can choose to ignore the order.

However, schools that conduct handshakes must monitor and take charge of the activity and report any incidents to the association.

The commissioner said member schools or coaches that engage in unsportsmanlike behaviour will be liable for fine.