After thorough studies and direct consultations with different professional sports organizations in the country, the Games and Amusements Board on Saturday officially submitted its ‘Proposed Framework for the Resumption of Professional Sports in the Philippines in Anticipation of the New Normal’ to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
The 59-page document has been carefully drafted by GAB officials, led by Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra and Commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Mar Masanguid, along with Dr. Jesucito Garcia, boxing chief; Dr. Redentor Viernes, medical section chief; Marissa So, horse-betting division chief; Dioscoro Bautista, pro basketball and other pro games chiefs and other professional sports bodies, such as Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Football Federation, among others, in order to ensure the safe return of sporting and amusement events following their temporary halt due to the COVID-19 threat.
The proposal shall likewise serve as a guide to help the IATF in assessing all the risk factors and the earliest but most reasonable time for the resumption of professional sports events, such as boxing, muay thai, MMA, motocross,triathlon and amusement games like horse racing in the country, while putting into consideration the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Filipino professional athletes and other GAB licensees.
"We are in close coordination with the different professional sports bodies. PFF submitted its operational protocols last week, while PBA submitted its own health and safety guidelines last Friday. PFF is proposing to adopt a "No spectators rule and to shorten football conferences," said GAB Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra.
Meanwhile, Boxing and other contact sports Division Chief Dr. Jesuscito Garcia has proposed a closed-door setting for boxing, MMA and Muay thai events to ensure the safety of professional combat sports athletes and ring officials.
"This initiative is also being done by other industries. We are hoping that DOH and IATF will consider our proposal and the health and safety protocols included therein, in order to help our professional athletes and their families survive this trying time in our nation's history," said Mitra.
Also, Dr. Viernes submitted copies of GAB General Medical Guidelines and Health Declaration Form to the Department of Health last month for initial consideration.