By WAYLON GALVEZ
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said yesterday that online coaching clinics would be available soon as the federation hopes to continue its programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are launching E-coaching so training still continues,” said Panlilio.
Prior to the pandemic and the community quarantines, the federation has been active with its coaching clinics in different parts of the country with champion coach Jong Uichico as head of the program.
However, just like other sports related activities, the SBP had to stop all undertakings as the nation dealt with COVID-19, which has infected thousands and killed hundreds.
But with sports activities slowly but surely getting back to action following the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease early this month, Panlilio said he hopes see the same with basketball – at least in training.
“We will come out with guidelines soon,” said Panlilio.
Ryan Gregorio, the SBP Special Assistant to the President, said that not just the coaches’ but also the referees program has been affected by the lockdown.
The latter, Gregorio said, needs attention and the federation looking for ways to continue with the training for aspiring referees.
“All the activities of the SBP, from coaches to referees, we already discussed everything with our chairman emeritus Boss MVP (Manny Pangilinan), president Al, and Executive Director Sonny Barrios,” said Gregorio.
“We hope to continue with these projects of the SBP. Of course there is also the national team, but the development of coaches and the referees, as well as the 3×3 are important programs of the association.”
