NSAs Call for Resumption of Training of Athletes

With the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic still wreaking havoc not just in the world of sports but, also in our lives in general, getting back our old habits may have to wait a bit longer as we're now trying to adjust to the new reality that we're in. And among the things that we have to wait for is the return of sports into our lives. And while some of the major sporting leagues abroad have slowly restarted their respective leagues with some even holding games behind-closed-doors, resumption of major sporting events in the country is still a question mark even with most of the country now under general community quarantine (GCQ) since yesterday. The good news is: our sports officials are working hand-in-hand with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases as both sides are now trying to work on protocols that will allow local sports to regain ground. 

In last Saturday's podcast of "Usapang PSL" with Benny Benitez and Vince Juico, Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) President Ian Laurel shared that PSL Chairman Philip Juico has met with other national sports associations (NSAs) including the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)  and the focal point of that meeting is for all NSAs in the country to be able to put in a collective effort to "officially communicate with the IATF in hopes that the IATF will allow Philippines sports to resume". Gradually. Dr. Laurel cited that in other countries, some of the major leagues have already resumed action and with that in mind, Laurel hopes that within this week or sooner, the NSAs can formulate a united request to the government for resumption of the local sports.

In that aspect, the NSAs have already begun working as they already agreed to draft a position paper which is asking the IATF to allow athletes to resume training. The said position paper will be presented to the Philippine Olympic Committee  (POC), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) after which the three government agencies will endorsement the paper to the IATF. Chairman Juico said that the NSAs will follow all of the protocols involving the training of athletes which include limited personals and limited physical contacts. 

If the IATF allows the resumption of training, Chairman Juico suggested that allowing athletes to train should be tried for at least, month then if nothing happens, training will continue until eventually, we can go to a point where competitions can be held as well. Gradually.

Photo is from SPIN.ph