Ni Edwin Rollon
TUNGKULIN at responsibilidad ng Games and Amusements Board ang hinay-hinay na pagbabalik ng ensayo ng mga professional athletes batay sa isinulong na Joint Administrative Order (JAO) ng GAB, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at Department of Health (DOH) at aprubado ng Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Bilang tugon sa pangangailangan ng pro sports na muling makabangon mula sa lockdown sanhi ng COVID-19 pandemic, ang JAO ang magsisilbing “Guidelines on the Conduct of Health –Enhancing and Sports during the Covid-19 Pandemic”.
“GAB is tasked to lead the implementation of the JAO in so far as the professional sports sector is concerned. We want to make certain that the health and safety protocols to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 are put in place to protect our professional athletes and other sports stakeholders,” pahayag ni GAB Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra.
Para sa epektibong implementasyon, inendorso ng DOH ang JAO sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) upang makalikha ng sariling ordinansa at kautusan batay sa nakapaloob na regulasyon ng JAO.
Nakabatay sa JAO, ayon kay Mitra na dapat tupduin para sa pagbubukas ng gyms, fitness facilities, at sports facilities.
Sa kasalukuyan, lahat ng professional sports na nasa pangangasiwa ng GAB tulad ng Philippine Football League, Philippine Basketball Association, 3x3 Chooks-to-Go, National Basketball League, National Women Basketball League, boxing at iba pang combat sports promotions ay nagsimula na sa pagbabalik ensayo.
“The resumption of professional sports activities in the country should not compromise the health of our athletes, trainers, or the community. This will be a slow and careful process, but we hope that all the stakeholders of professional sports will continue to support us,” paalala ni Mitra.
Ayon kay Mitra ang mga sports organization na ang status at amateur ay hindi pa pinahihintulutan na magbalik ensayo batay sa aprubadong programa ng IATF sa isinumiteng regulasyon ng JAO.
“Kung hindi ka pro athletes, hindi ka pa puwedeng magensayo. Hintayin ninyo na magbigay ng ‘go signal’ ang IATF. Kung wala pa, mananagot ang mga hindi susunod sa health protocol ng JAO,” sambit ni Mitra.
Sa kasalukuyan, nirere-viewed ng Department of Justice (DOH) ang rekomendasyon ng JAO group at IATF hingil sa illegal na pagsasanay na ginawa ng University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigers, at National University Lady Spikers.