By Nick Giongco
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) believes survival is key in the coming weeks and months among national athletes with president Bambol Tolentino urging everyone to stay indoors to avoid getting infected with the new coronavirus.
“Let us stay alive,” said Tolentino as the Tagaytay congressman called on the national sports association leaders to follow the guidelines of their international federations.
“The key is to remain safe while we all await the time when we all get back to the new normal,” he said.
Members of the national team have all gone home to their families and told to keep in shape within the confines of their respective homes.
“The disease is deadly, we can’t see it but we know that it is there outside,” Tolentino said.
“We have to really be very, very careful not to get it so we can all start training when this is over. Stay home, stay safe.”
The country isn’t only looking forward to returning to active duty in the sporting world during the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics from July 23 to Aug. 8.
There is also the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, in late-2021.
Tolentino said host Vietnam has yet to release a scaled down list of sports and events that will be played owing to the pandemic.
The Vietnamese government has slashed the budget hosting so funds can go to efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Tolentino said.
The Philippines has so far qualified four athletes to Tokyo and is aiming to bulk up the roster by next year when conditions improve.
As for its chances in the Hanoi SEAG, Tolentino insists that it would all largely depend on the revised lost that Vietnam will release.
“But right now, the important things are our health and our safety,” he said.
The biggest number of COVID-19 cases is in Metro Manila with Cebu City also contributing heavily on the national toll.