Amid health concerns, the Philippine Olympic Committee has asked various national sports associations under its wings to suspend events and activities that they are currently organizing.
POC president and Tagaytay rep. Abraham Tolentino said this is in line with the government’s efforts to lessen and control the possible spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
“The Philippine Olympic Committee stands behind government in its precautionary measure of advising everyone to desist from organizing, participating or attending events where big crowds are expected,” said Tolentino in a statement.
The Philippine Sports Commission has already taken the initiative to call off activities and reset them to a later date.
So far, the PSC has reset the schedules of around 80 various grassroots sports programs in the Visayas the agency is staging through the Philippine Sports Institute.
The cancellation of events under the PSC’s watch includes 30 editions of the UNESCO-recognized Children’s Games.
These activities are slated to take place in cities and municipalities of western, central and eastern Visayas.
Also affected are seven editions of Consultative Planning and Coaching Certification along Negros Occidental, Cebu and Southern Leyte.
“We must always put the safety of athletes, coaches, officials and spectators at the very top of our priorities,” added Tolentino.
Other events that have already been cancelled ahead of the POC announcement are the 7-Eleven Trail 2020, an exclusive cross country marathon mountain bike race this weekend in San Mateo, Rizal and all scheduled games of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association starting today.
Management committee head Peter Cayco of host Arellano University said the move will serve as a precautionary measure on the spread of the corona virus
“We shall advise you of the new schedule as soon as it becomes available,” said Cayco, who added their actions are in compliance with the advisories sent out by the Department of Health, Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the local government units concerned.
Among those affected are the senior division and junior division games of the ongoing volleyball competitions.
The schedule of the junior matches have already been scrubbed since last week.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has already shut down that all of its sporting events until further notice due to the outbreak.
The decision was made unanimous by the league’s Board of Trustees and Board of Managing Directors.
On the other hand, the qualifying tournaments of the 2020 National Open Chess Championship will push through as scheduled at the MET Live Mall in Pasay City.
The LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2020, which is on its 10th year of staging, is still expected to happen from Feb. 23 to March 4.