IATF’S GREEN LIGHT ALLOWING BASKETBALL PRACTICES STIR GLIMMER OF HOPE AND CONFUSIONS?
Good news at long last..!! Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s
announcement on Friday that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has allowed practices in basketball and football to resume has created a little confusion – and, consequently, raised glimmer of hopes to players and fans, given the scenario that the pandemic weakens.
With the specifics yet to be polished, a lot of questions were left hanging: Will recreational basketball be allowed now? Since the PBA and Philippine Football League (PFL) have been allowed to return to training, will the MPBL follow suit? How about the volleyball leagues? Will they get the green light, too?
The answer was supplied by the Games and Amusement (GAB) Board.
Although the full guidelines have yet to be released, GAB, which is the government’s regulatory body for professional sports, made it clear that the recent IATF resolution allowing practices in the sports of basketball and football covered only professional athletes.
The clarification was made by GAB chairman Abraham Mitra, who said the
IATF’s go-signal only covered the PBA and the PFL – two pro leagues regulated by GAB
The GAB, Mitra said, made representations with the IATF for the resumption of practices by the two pro leagues after these expressed their desire to do so during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The PBA and the PFL also came up with health guidelines in preparation for
the return. As far as the PBA concerned, the league plans to allow only a maximum six persons – four players, one trainer, and one health officer- per batch in practice.
The IATF resolution, however, doesn’t allow basketball and football games
being played as recreation or as a hobby, Mitra said. He added that the resumption of practices of professional athletes still doesn’t include playing scrimmages.
“Palace-approved in the IATF meeting are the guidelines on health-enhancing
physical activities and sports during the pandemic, as well as allowing professional athletes to do practice and conditioning, subject to the minimum public health standards,” Mitra added.
Meanwhile, the PBA welcomed the decision of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task
Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) to allow the resumption of practices, which gives the pro league a glimmer of hope for a restart to its stalled 45th season later in the year.
Commissioner Willie Marcial expressed gratitude to the agency for approving
the guidelines that will pave the way for the start of team training in both professional basketball and football.
The move, according to the commissioner, gives him the optimism the PBA may still be able to return and hold the postponed Philippine Cup.
The PBA board is set to convene by next month to decide on whether it will resume or cancel the season altogether. Initially. It is looking at a September return after operations were prematurely shutdown last March 11 with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and around the world.
The commissioner has also set a dialogue with the coaches and team managers of the 12 teams similar to what he had with players’ representatives from each ballclub two weeks ago.
By his own understanding of the IATF directive, ballclubs can start practicing
anytime, although Marcial said he’s still awaiting word from GAB chairman Mitra and a formal letter from the agency itself.
It was GAB along with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the
Department of Health (DOH) which drafted the guidelines for the resumption of team training in both pro basketball and football.
The Palace reiterates, however, that the provision is only for professional athletes for the purpose of practice and conditioning and not for those whose purpose is to play the said sports as a hobby. Conduct of non-professional, contact sports remains prohibited.” according to GAB.
According to the IATF-approved guidelines, practices by professional athletes should be limited to five players and one coach in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas like Metro Manila, while 10 players will be allowed in modified general community quarantine areas (MGCQ) areas.