After thorough studies and direct consultations with various professional sports organizations in the country, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has submitted the ‘Proposed Framework for the Resumption of Professional Sports in the Philippines’ to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in anticipation of the ‘new normal’.
The 59-page document has been carefully drafted by GAB officials led by Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra and commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Mar Masanguid along with Dr. Jesucito Garcia, boxing chief; Dr. Redentor Viernes, medical section chief; Marissa So, horse betting division chief; Dioscoro Bautista, pro basketball and other pro games chief and other professional sports bodies, such as Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Football Federation, among others, in order to ensure the safe return of sporting and amusement events following their temporary halt due to COVID-19 threat.
The proposal shall likewise serve as a guide to help the IATF in assessing all the risk factors and the earliest but most reasonable time for the resumption of professional sports events, like the PBA, boxing, muay thai, MMA, motocross, triathlon and amusement games like horse racing in the country, while putting into consideration the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Filipino professional athletes and other GAB licensees.
“We are in close coordination with the different professional sports bodies. PFF submitted its operational protocols last week, while PBA submitted its own health and safety guidelines last Friday. PFF is proposing to adopt a “No spectators rule and to shorten football conferences,” said Mitra.
Meanwhile, Garcia has proposed a closed-door setting for boxing, MMA and muay thai events to ensure the safety of professional combat sports athletes and ring officials.
“This initiative is also being done by other industries. We are hoping that DOH and IATF will consider our proposal and the health and safety protocols included therein, in order to help our professional athletes and their families survive this health crisi,” said Mitra.
Viernes said they have already submitted copies of GAB General Medical Guidelines and Health Declaration Form to the Department of Health (DOH) last month for initial consideration.
GAB submits guidelines for resumption of PH sports
GAB Chairman Baham Mitra during consultation with various sports officials.
After thorough studies and direct consultations with various professional sports organizations in the country, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has submitted the ‘Proposed Framework for the Resumption of Professional Sports in the Philippines’ to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in anticipation of the ‘new normal’.
The 59-page document has been carefully drafted by GAB officials led by Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra and commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Mar Masanguid along with Dr. Jesucito Garcia, boxing chief; Dr. Redentor Viernes, medical section chief; Marissa So, horse betting division chief; Dioscoro Bautista, pro basketball and other pro games chief and other professional sports bodies, such as Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Football Federation, among others, in order to ensure the safe return of sporting and amusement events following their temporary halt due to COVID-19 threat.
The proposal shall likewise serve as a guide to help the IATF in assessing all the risk factors and the earliest but most reasonable time for the resumption of professional sports events, like the PBA, boxing, muay thai, MMA, motocross, triathlon and amusement games like horse racing in the country, while putting into consideration the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Filipino professional athletes and other GAB licensees.
“We are in close coordination with the different professional sports bodies. PFF submitted its operational protocols last week, while PBA submitted its own health and safety guidelines last Friday. PFF is proposing to adopt a “No spectators rule and to shorten football conferences,” said Mitra.
Meanwhile, Garcia has proposed a closed-door setting for boxing, MMA and muay thai events to ensure the safety of professional combat sports athletes and ring officials.
“This initiative is also being done by other industries. We are hoping that DOH and IATF will consider our proposal and the health and safety protocols included therein, in order to help our professional athletes and their families survive this health crisi,” said Mitra.
Viernes said they have already submitted copies of GAB General Medical Guidelines and Health Declaration Form to the Department of Health (DOH) last month for initial consideration.