WITH the postponement of both the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) Meet and the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) Regional Finals, track and field coach hopes for an earlier announcement of the new playing dates.

Track and field coach Arvin Loberanis of University of San Carlos said this would be helpful for the athletes so they can adjust their programs based on the new competition dates.

“I hope they will announce the new schedule much early so the athletes can adjust their program and set a mindset for the games,” he told SunStar Cebu.

The Cviraa Meet was supposed to be held on Feb. 23 to 29 in Dumaguete City, but it has been postponed as a precautionary measure on the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The Prisaa Regionals, on the other hand, was scheduled on Feb. 8 to 9 in Cebu City. But just like Cviraa, it has been postponed due to the 2019-nCoV scare.

The Cviraa Meet is a qualifying event for the Palarong Pambansa set in May in Marikina City, while the Prisaa Regionals is a qualifier for the Prisaa Nationals in April.

Loberanis stressed that track and field is slightly different from other sports since the athlete should peak at the right time for the competition.

“We have to determine when to do competition pace on our training and it is based on the schedule,” he said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 7 earlier said that the Cviraa Meet might be held in March. The events this month were postponed based on the directive of DepEd Central Office. (RSC)