DESPITE the postponement of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa), a new sport will debut when the weeklong event commence last week of March.

Muay Thai will be played as a demo sports according to Georaloy Palao-ay, information officer of the Department of Education–Cordillera (DepEd–CAR) said during a recent press conference in Baguio.

“This is a strategic preparation for us as we anticipate that Muay Thai may soon become a regular sport in the Palarong Pambansa,” said Palao-ay.

In 2019, Caraa debut aero gymnastics, pencak silat, and dance sports as a regular sport.

“The inclusion of Muay Thai is for us to get better. The earlier we prepare, the better. We also develop our athletes and coaches,” added Palao-ay.

He cited the inclusion of wushu and wrestling as regular sports event in the annual regional meet, years before they became a part of the overall medal count in the 2017 edition of the Palarong Pambansa helped in the region’s over-all standings.

Caraa was moved from its original schedule this February putting in mind the safety of all delegates from the six provinces and two cities following a DepEd memorandum.

In the memorandum issued February 4, DepEd said in the interest of public health, all public and private basic education schools and learning centers are duty-bound to exercise due diligence and take precautionary measures to minimize exposure to risks associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) and support government efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

“Upon advice of DOH, all national and regional activities involving learners and/or teachers requiring travel and congregation of various schools, divisions, and/or regions are suspended. The Department shall periodically evaluate the necessity of suspending such national and regional activities, and shall, every Monday and/or when the need arises, announce whether such suspension shall continue, depending on the development of the situation and upon the advice of DOH,” the memo stated.

The DepEd memo added all division and district activities that involve the gathering/congregation of various schools are highly discouraged and organizers are advised to seek the recommendation of local health authorities should the activities push through.

Only events taking place this February, which includes Caraa, is covered by the DepEd memo.