AYAW NI PIA!

Sa desisyon ng CHED na pabalikin sa training ang student-athletes

MARIING tinutulan ni Senadora Pia Cayetano ang inilabas na ‘guidelines’ ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) na nagpapahintulot sa pagbabalik sa pagsasanay ng mga college at university student-athletes sa gitna ng umiiral na community quarantine sa bansa.

Ayon kay Cayetano, dating collegiate volleyball player at triathlete, tila hindi prioridad ng CHED ang ‘health and safety’ ng mga batang players sa pagpapalabas ng naturang guidelines, higit at ang mga miyembro ng National Team ay hindi pa rin nagbabalik sa ensayo dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng bilang ng mga nahahawa sa COVID-19 virus.

Aniya, maging ang professional athlete na kasalukuyang nasa ‘bubble’ ay hindi ligtas at naging kontrobersya matapos ang isyu ng pagiging positibo ng isang basketball player at referee sa Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

“These incidents reveal that while we still do not have a vaccine for COVID-19, the risks of transmission and infection are high, even in sports leagues and training bubbles administered by professional leagues, where strict health and safety protocols are being observed and spent for,” pahayag ni Cayetano sa ipinalabas na media statement.

“Are the schools prepared to spend for the bubbles, the isolated quarters, and the regular testing, in addition to the usual training expenses?” aniya.

Nitong Miyerkoles, isang technical working group na pinamumunuan ng CHED ang nag-anunsiyo na magpiprisinta sila ng guidelines para sa pagpapatuloy ng collegiate sports training sa Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Disease (IATF).

Sakaling magdesisyon ang mga educational institutions na mag resume ng training para sa kanilang studentathletes, hindi mandatory ang COVID-19 testing sa itinakda nilang guidelines.

Papahintulutan ang stay-in training o bubble training sa mga campuses na nasa ilalim ng general community quarantine (GCQ) o modified GCQ.

Dapat ding mayroong mga hand washing stations, routine disinfection, visual cues para sa social distancing at proper ventilation lahat ng mga training facilities.

Ayon kay Cayetano sa Section 2 ng Republic Act 10676 o Student-Athletes Protection Act, na sya mismo ang awtor, nakasaad na ang mga student-athletes ay mga regular pa ring estudyante.

“So, before we even start talking about the resumption of training, let me ask, how is their schooling? Are they getting the support they need for their education? I know many of them have returned to their homes in the provinces where access to WiFi might be weak or even non-existent. Many of them are also scholars and are in need of financial assistance. How about tutorials?” aniya.

“But to resume student-athletes’ training in an unsecured environment is an entirely different matter. I’m glad many coaches also aired their concerns. Like many, I’m an avid UAAP fan who look forward to weekends of watching games but this would have to wait,”dagdag pa nito.