WITH a new strain of the deadly COVID-19 threatening the country, the NCAA’s plan of launching its 96th season in the second quarter this year hit a snag.
All is not lost, however.
What is likely is the league will hold online chess and e-sports, according to a highly-reliable source.
“We have to meet again kasi nadiskaril iyong plano namin because of the (threat) of the new strain, naghigpit tuloy ang IATF,” the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“What’s on the table is iyong online chess and e-games, iyon ang mauuna siguro.”
The Commission on Higher Education released the safety and health guidelines for the resumption of varsity training last October.
Nearly three months after, collegiate leagues are still waiting for approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The Philippine Sports Commission also crafted guidelines for the conduct of collegiate tournaments last December.
The source is convinced it will take a little longer before squads can return to the gym and before tourneys get the green light.
“Ang palagay ko made-delay further ang approval, ang mga recommendation ng CHED,” the source said.
“Hihintayin namin iyong IATF kasi iyong desisyon nila sa recommendation ng CHED to allow practices, kasunod pa lang noon ang pagre-request kung puwede na ang liga.”
Citing the safety and health of athletes as top priorities, the UAAP scrapped its 83rd season last December but there are no talks of a cancellation of the NCAA’s new season, for now.
