By Waylon Galvez
The Philippine Sports Commission (SPC)) on Monday allayed fears of 33 athletes still housed at the PhilSports Center after government officials inspected the facilities that will be converted into another COVID-19 center.
PSC national training director Marc Velasco, who assisted officials of the DPWH during the team’s ocular inspection, said athletes expressed apprehensions regarding their safety after learning that the multi-purpose arena will be used for patients with symptoms of the deadly coronavirus.
Velasco, however, stressed that health officials assured the PSC that the athletes and employees at the facility are safe.
“It’s between 200 to 300 meters yung layo from the quarters, and may pagitan naman na mataas na wall,” said Velasco. “Ang sabi din ng Department of Health is nothing to worry.”
“Of course may worry, nakausap namin yung ibang athletes and employees, but we’re assured na walang maging problema with regards sa health and safety nila,” added Velasco.
Majority of the athletes staying at the PhilSports quarters are from PHILSPADA, or the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled who failed to get airplane tickets before travel restrictions were imposed.
Velasco said that there are also five members of the junior’s boxing national team who were stranded at the airport following the Luzon-wide lockdown implemented by the government.
“Inabutan na kasi sila ng lockdown so hindi na sila mga naka-uwi sa kani-kanilang probinsya. Kaya sa quarters natin sa PhilSports sila nag-stay muna and we’re taking good care of them,” said Velasco.
After converting the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Coliseum in Manila, the government is now adding the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA) as facility for COVID-19 patients.
All athletes and coaches have vacated their respective quarters at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, which Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Coliseum are also located.
\Since last week, health officials have been using the Ninoy Aquino Stadium for patients’ treatment, while the Rizal Memorial Coliseum is being considered as a venue for Person Under Investigation or PUI with COVID-19.
