The risk of infection may still be around, but with health and safety protocols in place, face-to-face training for national athletes preparing for the Southeast Asian Games will now be possible at government-controlled sports facilities this week.
National Training Director Marc Velasco said this as the Philippine Sports Commission finally opens its doors this week for workouts being organized for members of the national delegation.
The Medical Scientific Athletes Services building at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will be ready to accommodate national athletes, now that reports of COVID-19 cases are decreasing in the National Capital Region.
“We will look into this and have them (national athletes) accommodated. Even with lower alert levels, there is still the risk of infection. Our concern is on our venues,” said Velasco.
Wushu athletes will be the first to get in a training bubble at the MSAS Bldg.
“We still have a few NSAs and they are the concern of the PSC. We have venues for them that are ready,” added Velasco, who noted that the boxing contingent is now in Baguio City, along with the national athletics’ squad, which is doing performance trials at the Athletic Bowl at the end of February.
The national karatedo squad is also in the City of Pines, while the fencers are in Ormoc City and the rowers have settled down with their training in Leyte.
On the other hand, sepak takraw athletes are getting comfortable in the training area in Bulacan.
“We really need to plan and really look into this, find out which NSAs need accommodations,” said Velasco.