Member schools of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines are getting ready to hold physical training activities in a bubble-type of environment in the last week of October or early days of November.
The league has been continuously refining this setup over the last 10 months as organizers pursue plans to stage competitions in Season 84 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines in the first half of 2022.
School authorities are now waiting for the approval of the Commission on Higher Education and Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases before they can finally execute their plans.
Executive director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag Jr. said they are looking at a two-month interval before they can hold actual games in the league.
Saguisag said this is the direction that the league is headed as they commit to staging a limited number events when the UAAP is finally allowed to restart.
“Ang target talaga is next year, because we have to give time. We don’t want to risk the safety of everyone,” said Saguisag on the league’s regular vlog, “UAAP Talks.”
League officials feel that there should be a two-month gap involving training before actual competitions get going.
The league also considered the logistical requirement and the current shortage of venues that it has faced in past months.
The limitations were due to the numerous restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For now, the league is thinking of holding only four events, namely men’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball and cheerdancing events.
The league is still finalizing ideas on its bubble setup on whether it will utilize one venue or more.
Recently, the CHED has summoned Saguisag to a consultation meeting on Republic Act No. 11180, an act requiring higher education institutions to report participation and program support expenditures in all college athletic programs.