Volleyball knocking on IATF door

MANILA, Philippines — Volleyball hopes to be the next sport to get the nod of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in resuming its training following the green light given to professional basketball and football the other day.

The Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) is hoping to get the approval sooner than later.

“Gumawa kami (we wrote) letter with other national sport associations (NSAs). Wala pa sagot (no reply yet),” LVPI vice president Peter Cayco told The STAR.

“There is urgency but we can only wait for government action on our request.”

Last month, the LVPI, along with six other NSAs, submitted a request to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the IATF for a step-by-step return starting with training and conditioning of their athletes, especially members of the national team.

Included in the joint letter was volleyball’s own protocols to be implemented once they are allowed to resume training and other activities.

But volleyball was not among the sports given a go to resume as per the IATF’s decision on Friday.

Clarifications were made by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on the said decision, stressing that the clearance is limited to professional sports and professional athletes with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Philippine Football League (PFL).

The fact that the Philippine Superliga (PSL) and Premier Volleyball League (PVL) are considered amateur or semi-pro in nature may have forced the IATF to put them on hold under the GCQ.

The LVPI as well as the PSL and PVL can only wait as Metro Manila remained under GCQ until July 15.