GAB creates proposal for pro sports in PH

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) has finished its 59-page proposal that will serve as a framework for professional sports to resume in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entitled “Proposed Framework for the Resumption of Professional Sports in the Philippines in Anticipation to the New Normal,” the manuscript was passed to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and is still subject for approval.

The manuscript was drafted by the sports regulatory government agency led by chairman Abraham Mitra after engaging in several consultations among the different professional sports organizations in the country.

“We are in close coordination with the different professional sports bodies. PFF (Philippine Football Federation) submitted its operational protocols last week, while the PBA submitted its own health and safety guidelines last Friday,” said Mitra.

Also, the documents passed contain tips on when will be the best time for pro sports to resume in the country such as basketball, boxing, muay thai, MMA, motocross, triathlon, and horse racing while also prioritizing the socioeconomic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic to the different lives of the Filipino athletes and coaches.

“This initiative is also being done by other industries. We are hoping that DOH (Department of Health) and IATF will consider our proposals and the health and safety protocols included therein, in order to help our professional athletes and their families survive this trying times in our nation’s history,” added Mitra.