The training of national athletes in athletics could start again next month.
Officials of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association are making plans to make this happen by the second week of August.
Private venues have been tapped to hold training sessions and possibly, competitions in the months ahead.
PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico said they are now coordinating with government agencies to make this possible.
Discussions are now ongoing with the Philippine Sports Commission, along with the Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health.
“The PATAFA has been in constant discussion with the PSC and some elements of the IATF and the DOH to ensure that the national team can train no later than Aug. 15,” said Juico in an online video conference last week.
Members of the national team will be brought to the De La Salle University-Laguna campus in Canlubang.
The track oval and living quarters of athletes are being prepared to accommodate the national team.
The PATAFA is doing this in coordination with secretary general Terry Capistrano, and marketing and communications head Edward Kho.
Another venue being looked at is the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
National Training Director Marc Velasco of the PSC recently informed Juico that the Philsports complex is currently being tapped as a quarantine facility and monitoring for coronavirus patients.
The venues inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex are also in use.
But they will soon be disinfected once the facilities have been cleared for use for athletes, who will train for Olympic qualification competitions.
There were plans to move national athletes to the provinces like Cebu City.
But this has been shelved since the province has been heavily hit by the pandemic.
The PATAFA has adopted policies that will embrace the new normal when it begins resuming activities and competitions in the latter part of the third quarter.
