A surge of coronavirus infections in Taiwan will keep the Philippine national archery team from leaving the country.
Arrangements were being finalized this week for the national team to fly over to Taiwan, which became known for having one of the world’s best success stories in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
But plans changed yesterday, according to World Archery Philippines president Clint Aranas following reports that there was a spike of more than 400 domestic cases over the last few days.
“We have to cancel Taiwan because the government has raised its alert level on the pandemic. And they are not allowing our team to travel,” said Aranas in an interview with the Manila Standard.
Because of this, the national team will have to return to Dumaguete to continue their preparations for an Olympic qualification tournament.
Filipino archers were supposed to join the Olympic Qualifier in Paris, France from June 18 to 21.
A six-man team, led by Ryan Silos, was supposed to leave next week for a month-long training stint in Taiwan.
The rest of the contingent is made up of Jason Feliciano, Carson Hastie, Pia Elizabeth Bidaure, Phoebe Amistoso and Monica Bidaure, with coaches Clint Sayo and Joy Marino joining the team.
The Taiwanese archery team for the games, led by two-time Olympian Tan Ya-ting and reigning world champion Lei Chien-ying in the women’s individual recurve, was initially scheduled to train with Filipino archers.
The Chinese Taipei Archery Association has informed their Philippine counterpart, World Archery Philippines that their group is willing to lend a helping hand to Filipino archers if ever they make it to Taiwan.
