NATIONAL athletes backed the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC’s) decision to cancel all its sports activities until December in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases guidelines that prohibit mass gathering amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic even if the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted. PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez recently issued a statement regarding the cancellation of the national sports agency’s sports programs this year. Aiba Women’s World Boxing Championships 2019 gold medalist Nesthy Alcayde Petecio, whose amateur career began in Davao City, said the PSC chief’s decision takes into consideration the safety and welfare of the athletes. The 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 champion, however, said she understands the sentiments of some athletes who are supposed to be playing in their last stints in the Palarong Pambansa or other Games. “Pero sa karun nga sitwasyon lisod kaayo kung mag take og risk gud. Dili baya nato makita ang kalaban kung naay isa maapektuhan damay damay na tanan. Ang goals, dreams naa lang mana diha kung dili ka mag stop nga abuton na dili mana mawala kung dili ka magsuko. Pero ang kinabuhi gud isa lang na ug dili na na mabalik pa (In this health crisis, it’s difficult to take risks since we can’t see our enemy and if one gets infected, it will easily spread. Goals and dreams are just there if you don’t give up. But we only live once, when we lose it, we could never take it back),” she said. Rio Olympics 2016 marathoner Mary Joy Tabal of Cebu, for her part, said, “It’s the best call even if the ECQ will be lifted this month, still it is not 100 percent safe for us athletes and for everybody to do group events.” Even with a vaccine, Tabal said it will still be a challenge for athletes to be back in their full competition shape once this is all over. It will take another three to four months for them to stay fit for competition. She maintained though that athletes are obliged to abide by Ramirez’s decision as she also trusts PSC who puts athletes’ best interests at heart. But she urged fellow athletes not to be complacent as they must find ways to keep their physical strength and hone their skills and talents with a daily fitness program despite the current quarantine situation. World Youth and Juniors Sambo Championships 2019 bronze medalist Sydney Sy Tancontian of Davao City, meanwhile, said, “Naintindihan ko po yung decision ni Chairman. He made the decision for the benefit of the athletes and everyone else.” Although she has set her mind to a string of international competitions this year, the SEA Games kurash bronze medalist said that being a responsible citizen of the country, she must also do her share by complying with government guidelines. Dabawenyo Nathaniel Sanchez, a 30th SEA Games obstacle racing course gold medalist, also supports Ramirez’s decision to cancel all sports until there is a vaccine, saying, “Tingnan nalang po natin yung brighter side na naidudulot ng lockdown. I’ll do the same if ako yung nasa lugar nya. Dapat di lang yung sports, lahat po.” National athletes vying for Tokyo Olympics slots will also have to wait as qualifying tournaments were also shelved abroad.