THERE will be no NCAA action, at least this year, and only four disciplines will be held in its new season.
The NCAA is set to launch its 96th season early next year and only the mandatory events– basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field– will be played.
“Season 96, with Colegio de San Juan de Letran as host, shall begin in early months of 2021, subject to the decisions of government for the favorable conduct of games, while strictly observing safety and health protocols,” the league’s Policy Board, led by president Rev. Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, OP, of host Letran, said in a statement yesterday, approving the recommendations of the Management Committee chaired by Rev. Fr. Victor C. Calvo Jr., OP, also of Letran.
“Only four mandatory sports— basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field — shall be played this season.”
The country’s oldest collegiate league was forced to scrap its usual July opening due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Policy Board also approved ManCom’s recommendation of giving athletes who did not finish or even play in Season 95 an extra playing year.
Season 95 was called off for good last March at the start of the government-imposed lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly virus.
Events such as indoor volleyball, football, lawn tennis, soft tennis, track and field, beach volleyball, and cheerleading were terminated.
“Some rules and requirements on student-athletes’ eligibility such as age, enrolment, grades and even playing years, shall be relaxed, in consideration of the disruption of the school year and major changes in the education system,” added the statement.
The league is also finalizing plans of holding an online chess tournament and e-sports.
The safety and health of the NCAA community remain as top priorities of the NCAA.
“It remains the NCAA’s top priority to ensure the safety and health of our student-athletes, coaches and trainers, and the general viewing public.”
“The league’s objective of youth development through sports deserves our unequivocal support in order to continue and contribute to the future of our nation and our world.”