UAAP eyes return as vaccine rollout continues

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is optimistic that they can return to action this year.

UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag expressed his positive outlook in the remaining months and is expecting to meet with the board soon as the final plans will be laid out.

“Ang tinitignan namin ngayon actually with the vaccines is not only just the return to training but actually trying to come up with a proposal that now we can actually really concretely discuss return to competition,” said Atty. Saguisag.

Collegiate sports took a halt last year when the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) only allowed the professional level to resume.

It’s been 14 months now and the IATF is still not allowing the UAAP to conduct their practice sessions but the vaccine roll out that is happening might change the landscape.

“All of us wants competition to return kaya lang without the vaccine, I’ll be honest with you, at one point I was really wondering ano ba talaga, is everything about to be futile? But because of this vaccine, I think, to simplify, it’s really a game-changer,” added Atty. Saguisag.

Once most of the athletes have already received their doses, Atty. Saguisag and the UAAP board are seeking to write to the IATF and the Department of Health regarding their request to resume operations.