Like other stakeholders in the sports and fitness industry, recently crowned US Open Pool champion Carlo Biado believes that the government should start allowing some sports to operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fresh from his victory in one of the most prestigious and toughest billiards tournaments in the world, Biado said he went to the US four months ago to prepare for the big event by joining pocket tournaments.
Sports events are already allowed in the US. It’s the opposite in the Philippines, though, as sports events are still prohibited due to strict quarantine protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“Kung tutuusin, kung dalawang players lang maglalaro sa mesa, magkalayo naman. Puwede naman siguro payagan ang ganyang sport. Huwag lang ‘yung maraming manoood,” said Biado during an online sports forum.
The 37-year-old cue artist said billiards halls which are closed to the public can be safe as long as extra care and strict health protocols are in place.
“Siguro indoor (private play) puwede siya. ‘Pag outdoor kasi minsan dumadami mga tao. Mga nanonood dikit dikit na. Wala nang social distancing,” he said.
Biado added that allowing billiards practices or tournaments will be helpful, especially for elite Filipino players who are planning to compete abroad.
“Kaya nga ako nag-decide pumunta ng US para makapag-practice and then compete. Nu’ng nasa Pilipinas ako, wala talaga, nasa bahay ka lang dahil nga nakakatakot dahil sa COVID-19 na yan. Pero hindi ako nagpa-apekto kasi hindi naman puwedeng habang buhay na nasa loob tayo ng bahay,” he said.
Biado, who is still in the US, is looking to participate in three major international tournaments next year–the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Southeast Asian Games, and the World Games, where he is the defending 9-ball champion.
Metro Manila was placed under General Community Quarantine Alert Level 4 beginning Sept. 16 and fitness studios and martial arts clubs are among those prohibited to operate. Amateur and some professional sports are also not allowed to be staged.
Meanwhile, restaurants and salons were given the go-signal to resume operations under limited capacity.