RIATF asked: Allow athletes physical training to resume

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Sports Commission is hoping that the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of COVID-19 would allow physical training for its grassroots program to resume.

The CCSC already had an initial meeting with the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) yesterday where they presented their program. The commission prayed to allow physical training already since as it has been over a year now that athletes here are training virtually.

Although sporting events in the country have been mostly bubble-type, if not virtual, the CCSC has not stopped training athletes.

Athletes’ training needs to be continuous or else, they go back to square one that is why coaches and athletes are hoping to get back in the field for training. On Tuesday, coaches will be meeting with EOC’s consultant Dr. Bryan Lim for them to show their actual training plan.

Coaches are also expected to undergo training with Dr. Lim, an infectious diseases specialist on safety protocols while training. Only after the coaches’ training that EOC will come up with its recommendation to the RIATF.

The IATF’s amended omnibus guidelines shows that in areas under the Modified General Community Quarantine, Cebu City included, indoor and outdoor non-contact sports are already allowed.

Non-contact sports refer to a sport or activity in which participants are physically separated throughout its duration, thus minimizing the possibility of making any form of purposeful or accidental physical contact.

Minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing, and no sharing of equipment are to be observed. Athletes below 15 years of age and above 65, may be allowed outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise.

Most of the grassroots athletes of Cebu City are below 15 years-old, thus, the age restrictions also has to be tackled further for them not to be apprehended for quarantine violation while on their way to training sites and on their way home after trainings. — FPL (FREEMAN)