Embracing the “new normal” will be among the goals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Season 96 host Colegio de San Juan de Letran will be adopting this measure after they officially took over as host last Wednesday.
“Soon, the plans of NCAA season 96 shall be presented, observing the ‘new normal,’ assuring our students, supporters, followers and fans about the safety and health standards of events and venues, showcasing our quality camaraderie and competition, instilling discipline, inspiring us with the best performance of each school team and student-athletes,” said incoming policy board president, Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, OP, and Rector-President of Letran, in a statement.
Fr. Marquez said this after the Policy Board, through outgoing president Francisco Cayo of Season 95 host Arellano University, officially turned over hosting responsibilities to Letran through an online ceremony on Viber.
“Letran graciously accepts the hosting duties of Season 96,” the school said in a statement.
New mancom chief, Fr. Victor Calvo said they are now reviewing the proposals.
“Wala pang opening,” said Calvo, as the possibility that Season 96 could be pushed back further into the second quarter of 2021 looms.
Season 96 cannot start this July, since the Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases recommended that no sports activities take place for the rest of 2020, while the country deals with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic until October.
Under the modified ECQ, authorities will allow limited movement for accessing essential services and work, reopening of select manufacturing and processing plants at 50 percent capacity, and limited reopening of transporting services. Face-to-face classes will remain suspended for areas under modified lockdown.
No venue games are available at the moment, with the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila being used as quarantine facilities for the sick, along with The Arena in San Juan, and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The league is now reviewing the eligibility of athletes, with consideration for those who have already used up their playing years, and those who haven't.
Organizers are also preparing for the possibility that they will only have at least four events in the coming season.
Among the mandatory events that could be played are basketball, volleyball, swimming, athletics and probably e-games.
Because of the disruption, this will be the first time eight decades that the league will skip holding the games for at least a year.
The last time it happened was during when World War II when no competitions were held from 1942 to 1946.