GAB gives pro sports go-signal to return to practice

The Games and Amusement Board (GAB), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Health (DOH) have released a Joint Administrative Order giving athletes the go-signal to return to practice amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement, GAB said all sports it regulates such as professional basketball, football, boxing, MMA, and muay thai, among others "can resume training provided that the provisions of the GAB-PSC-DOH Joint Administrative Order (JAO) are met."

GAB said training for non-contact sports and individual exercises are allowed in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.

For areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), "championship and non-championship combat sports fights, such as boxing, MMA, muay thai scheduled abroad involving a GAB-licensed athlete may be permitted," said GAB.

On basketball and football, the games agency said, "maximum of 5 players may be allowed to resume training in GCQ areas, while maximum of 10 players may be allowed to resume physical conditioning activities in MGCQ with modifiers areas."

"We are so happy and excited that finally after more than four months our professional football and basketball players can now shake off some pounds they may have acquired during the quarantine," said GAB Chair Abraham Mitra.

"We expect them to practice maybe for a month or two to be match fit and hopefully when quarantine levels go down, they may be allowed to eventually play. It is effective immediately," he said.

Boxing training is allowed in GCQ and MGCQ areas, provided that the athletes do not have COVID-19 symptoms in the past two weeks.

"In low risk areas (MGCQ without modifiers), practice and actual games may be permitted provided that the provisions of the JAO must be complied with," said GAB. —MGP, GMA News