PSC to Resume Some Events After ECQ

Last month, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) canceled all PSC-sanctioned sports events in the country for the country stating that as long as there's no vaccine against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), it would be risky to hold sports events as it would beat the purpose of practicing social distancing. That decision was followed by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) who said that they are looking delay the opening of Season 83 which will include the start of the men's basketball tournament to October although they are not counting out the possibility of starting Season 83 in January of next year. If things don't improve as soon as possible, there will be no sports left for us to be watched for the remainder of the year.

Fortunately, sports fans in the country have something to hope for.

PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez hinted that there is a chance that sports could make its return to the country as soon as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted but it also comes with certain limitations and conditions as the PSC chairman also stressed that there's no vaccine yet. In a statement, Chairman Ramirez said that he worked up a recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to allow hold sports events such as golf, running, hiking, badminton, softball, baseball, and skateboarding. He also included Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Taekwando events as long as the game of chess which can be played online. However, Ramirez also admitted that sports organizers in the country can no longer hold sports events like they used to do back in the pre-COVID-19 time but that doesn't mean that it cannot be done with the proper adjustments and coordination with the national government- a sentiment Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino shared as Tolentino added that holding some sports events once the situation eases up will mean that organizers will need to practice social distancing and even hold games behind-closed-doors. 

While basketball and volleyball aren't included in the recommendation of the PSC, sports fans will have something to look forward to as they will have a list of sports events to watch out for once the ECQ is lifted in major high-risk areas in the country. And if the medical experts around the world can come up with the vaccine against this deadly virus, basketball, and other exciting sports might just make their return into our lives. For now, all we can do is wait for this storm to pass. Together. After all, we heal as one. 

Photo is from Philippine Canadian Inquirer