PSC restructures PH athletes’ training regimen

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) decided to restructure the training and coaching routine format of all the national athletes and coaches.

PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez confirmed the new planned scheme for both the athletes and coaches while all sporting activities are still suspended under the enhanced community quarantine.

Ramirez said that all training will be done online with the coaches and athletes in a teleconference setting to observe social distancing as part of the pandemic safety protocols.

“We have to reboot our approach on grassroots and elite athletes’ programs. The framework of coaching education, until no vaccine is found, will all be virtual or online, reaching out to all elite athletes in their own location,” explained by Ramirez.

After the government and the PSC decided to send their national athletes and coaches home amid the pandemic, the main training facilities that they used to train at are now converted into medical facilities to help decongest hospitals.

“COVID-19 will change the face and substance of both amateur and professional sports. Or primary importance is to save lives, which is the ultimate goal of society and government,” he added.