THE government has given the go-signal for the resumption of training of professional basketball and football teams on Friday, clearing the way for the return of PBA players to training.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced during a media briefing that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases has cleared the resumption of activities in the two team sports, at least in practices.
"Pinayagan na po ang practice at yung conditioning ng basketball at football, sang ayon po sa request ng PBA at ng ibang football associations," said Roque.
Roque, curiously, made no mention of other team sports like volleyball. There is also confusion on whether varsity basketball and lower-level leagues will be given similar clearance.
He added that the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusement Board and the Department of Health drafted the guidelines for the training, both under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and under modified GCQ.
The PBA had sought IATF approval for a plan to have its 12 teams resume training in small groups under a 'bubble' environment. The protocols include regular testing and only a minimum number of people present during the practices.
The IATF approval raises hope that the PBA teams can return to practices in time for the holding of a single-conference season, almost four months since its Philippine Cup was shelved with only a single game played.
The decision will also allow clubs under the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) umbrella to go back to training ahead of the league's resumption.
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