WHILE the 10th Asean Para Games was officially cancelled on Monday, May 11, due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, bemedaled swimmer Ernie Gawilan of Davao City and decorated chesser Henry Roger Lopez of Panabo City continue to train despite controlled quarantine measures.
The 29-year-old Paralympics qualifier Gawilan, who has been in his Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) home since March 14, said in Facebook interview with SunStar Davao Thursday, May 14, said: "Karon Ma'am sayang ang among training nga pag-adam ani pero tungod kay niabot man jud ning Covid -19 moving forward nalang kay kinabuhi sa tao ang nakataya aning krisis (We have trained hard for the Games but since Covid-19 has disrupted it, we just have to move forward since lives of people are at stake)."
The Asean Para Sports Federation president Osoth Bhavilai released a statement Monday, which was also furnished to SunStar Davao, cancelling the Games after the Philippine Sports Commission earlier scrapped the country's hosting of the Para Games amid the coronavirus outbreak in the Philippines.
Bhavilai, in his official statement, quoted PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez statement that the national sports agency is withdrawing its financial support to the hosting of the biennial Games as directed by the national government through the Department of Budget and Management-National Budget Circular 580 and IATF/GCQ guidelines "to take certain actions" to fortify the country's fight against Covid-19.
Gawilan, who collected two golds, one silver and two bronzes in the 2017 edition of the 2017 Asean Para Games, said he continues to train and keep himself in shape for future competitions.
He also thanked Ramirez and the PSC Board that they continue to receive their athletes' allowances amid the lockdown.
Lopez, for his part, said, "Of course I'm sad after preparing for the event but (the cancellation is) understandable and necessary to beat Covid-19 pandemic. We have to sacrifice for the greater good.
The Holy Cross of Davao College alumnus won two team golds and two individual silvers in the 2017 Asean Para Games. Lopez said he's been playing in online chess tournaments daily to further hone his skills.
Gawilan (three golds, two silvers) and Lopez (two golds, one silver) also brought home medals for the country in the Jakarta Asian Para Games in 2018.