Rippling Effects of PSC Canceling the Remaining Sporting Events for 2020

To summarize what Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez, as long as the vaccine for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) isn't available, there won't be sporting events in the Philippines for the remainder of 2020. And while reports that the vaccines are already entering the clinical trial period, it will have to undergo several tests on top of deliberations before it can be made available. In other words, sports fans might need to get used to not watching any live sports events in the country for the remainder of the year. 

While the basketball leagues such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) aren't under the jurisdiction of the PSC as they are private leagues, both leagues have already taken the precaution of postponing their respective leagues with the UAAP canceling all second-semester events for the school year 2019-2020. Despite that, the PSC is expecting both leagues to follow directives from the national government.

As they all say, every cause has an effect and for that, the PSC's decision to cancel all PSC-sanctioned sporting events for the remainder of the year will impact those whose who are working in the sporting industry.

For starters, the national athletes and coaches will be the ones who will first feel the impact of the said cancellation as the allowance that they are getting from the government agency will be affected as part of the allowance that the said individuals are receiving is generated by the funds of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). And since PAGCOR's operations are also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which made the government put almost the entire country on community quarantine, PAGCOR funds have become limited. On a positive note, the PSC also noted that the agency will continue to support the members of our national team while heeding the government's call to cut unnecessary expenses and redirect the agency's resources towards helping fight the pandemic. 

Another rippling effect of the PSC's decision to cancel all PSC-sanctioned events this year is that the athletes who have been training for the said events will now have more time to get into shape at the comfort of their homes. And while they cannot go out to the gym due to the quarantine period which has now been extended until May 15, not only they will have more time to train for their next events but more importantly, they are safe and healthy and that's more important than winning.

While many will not agree on the call of Butch Ramirez and company to call all PSC-sanctioned events for the remainder of the year as some are worried about the welfare of those who won't get paid because they won't be able to work, it's about coming together as a team in these trying times. We're all affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and if we don't do our part, we'll lose big. Canceling the said events will hurt many. However, people need to accept that even though it might take us longer to get used to these situations, the government has one primary concern for now: secure the health and safety of all Filipinos and that included that of the Filipino athletes. 

The PSC said that they are ready to take necessary actions should the situation improves but until then, we'll just need to relax at home and hope for the best. After all, it's what we can do. For now. 

Photo is from ESPN