TRACK and field coach Arvin Loberanis has advised his student-athletes to go home to their hometowns as sporting events are already canceled and classes have been suspended in light of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The 2020 Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Games, which was set on April 15 to 24, 2020, in Tuguegarao City, was the most recent event to be canceled on Friday night, following a meeting with the officials and representatives.
“I told my college students to go home to their hometowns so that they will be with their families in case of a lockdown,” the University of San Carlos head coach told SunStar Cebu on Saturday.
Cebu athletes dominated the Prisaa Regionals which was held just last weekend in Cebu City. The medalists of that event were supposed to comprise the Region 7 delegates to compete against the top athletes in different regions.
The Prisaa National Games is the annual sports competition for college and senior high student-athletes coming from private schools, colleges and universities.
“Since there are no more events to compete for this calendar year, I just advised them to go home,” said Loberanis, who added that there are no more practices for them in all levels—from elementary to college.
He added the training will resume only in the next school year, which is set to start in August for USC.
Before the cancellation of the Prisaa, the Department of Education already canceled the Palarong Pambansa and regional qualifying events like the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet.
Covid-19 has affected almost all the sporting events. Even the National Basketball Association, Boston Marathon, among others, have postponed their games.
The virus, which was first reported in Wuhan, China, has sickened 145,000 individuals and killed more than 5,000 people. The Philippines has 98 confirmed cases with eight deaths as of Saturday. / RSC