Two of the three sports facilities that are under the care of the Philippine Sports Commission will remain as isolation areas for COVID-19 patients.
But many places inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in the City of Manila City, the Philsports Complex in Pasig City can be utilized by a limited number of athletes for training.
As for the national training camp in Baguio, only two groups of national athletes can be accommodated.
Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said this after the PSC board approved the resumption of training of selected national teams not earlier than January 10, 2022.
“We have set it for Jan. 10 so all protocols will be in place,” said Fernandez.
The PSC commissioner said approval from the Department of Health and the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases paved the way for the board’s decision to allow national athletes to return these places following a 20-month absence.
Agency officials still remain cautious in allowing more athletes, coaches and officials to come in.
That’s because there are still areas inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and the Philsports Complex in Pasig which are still serving as quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients.
“The agency is now evaluating viable facilities which may be used in the said training. Ongoing coordination with the MPA-IATF in Philsports, Pasig and the Baguio City local government unit are being done to ensure that all safety measures are taken for the protection of our national team members,” said agency officials in a statement.
So far, only athletes from eight sports disciplines can train for the coming Southeast Asian Games.
Fernandez said that for now, training of athletes in judo, taekwondo, wrestling, sambo and table tennis will be allowed inside the RMSC facilities.
Over at Philsports, athletics, swimming and football will be allowed, along with a few other sports disciplines that they have yet to identify.
In Baguio City, athletes in boxing and karatedo have begun training for international meets.
As for football, Fernandez noted that national athletes will have to continue training elsewhere.
That’s because the Philippine Football Federation has already found a suitable training venue for them in Carmona, Cavite.
The PSC has already created a Technical Working Group which is undertaking all the necessary preparations, including the finalization of sports which may be accommodated in said facilities.
A no vaccine-no entry policy will be one of the strict requirements in the said training resumption.
