National training director Marc Velasco said careful planning is needed as the Philippine Sports Commission gets set to put members of the national contingent under numerous training bubbles by July.
“It’s not possible for them to train (under a bubble) for a whole year. If the coaches plan this properly, we can make them ready in three months,” said Velasco.
Putting national athletes in a bubble for long period of time, according to Velasco, will have a bad effect on their mental health.
This is the reason why the PSC has put a team of psychologists to observe national athletes currently doing their preparations in Calamba, Laguna.
The PSC is looking for at least four venues to put national athletes in bubble training.
This includes the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City, along with the cities of Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Taguig and Tagaytay.
The four cities have opened their doors to hosting the final months of training of national athletes seeing action in the biennial meet.
Velasco said putting national athletes in bubble training will be a good substitute to sending them abroad for international exposure.
Not many athletes can go abroad for international meets because of limitations posed by restrictions done by many countries to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
PSC chairman William Ramirez said a high level of performance can be achieved by keeping national athletes in shape and in training, even if they’re done virtually.
“This is now the look out of the NSAs. Those athletes who are in constant practice with their coaches have the edge,” said Ramirez.