The effect of CoVid-19 in the Sport of the Philippines

By: Robert Galamgam –Journalist/ @Jaguar Chronicles

The Philippines government declared a state of calamity in the country for six months on 17th March and announced lock-down of Metro Manila, followed by the entire Luzon Island and is mulling over more localized lock-downs. The Philippines is at a far greater risk of witnessing increased cases of the novel coronavirus infection compared to other countries.

While taking several steps to control the spread of the virus, including travel restrictions, closure of schools and colleges, as well as training schools of the PNP (Philippines National Police). Educational institutes in the country are announced to be closed from 09 March to 15 March, whereas in Metro Manila the classes will be suspended until 12 April. Stringent social distancing measures will be in place in the National Capital Region (NCR) for 30 days from 15 March.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Celso “Cito” Dayrit gave a words of wisdom and warning to fellow sports officials how bad the current Covid-19 pandemic that will affect the country’s preparations to meet its commitment to take part in several international sporting events, including the 2020 Olympic Games, which were rescheduled next year, and the 31st Southeast Asian Games also in 2021.

Moreover, POC chief added it will be risky to send athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, now scheduled for July 23 to August 8, 2021, because there is still no vaccine yet for COVID-19.

“We’re one of those NOCs (National Olympic Committees) that’s hoping for a vaccine, pero mahirap din talaga kung matutuloy tapos wala rin naman palang vaccine. Mabigat ‘yun. Hindi pa natin alam yung guidelines doon, may waiver ba diyan or what,” explained Tolentino.

[Translation: We’re one of those NOCs that hoping for a vaccine, but it will also be really difficult if the Olympics push through without the vaccine. It would be difficult. We don’t know the guidelines for the Olympics yet, if there will be waivers or what.]