Train indoors, PSC tells national athletes

We have been coordinating with the NSAs to look for training alternatives. But then, PSC would always work on the safe side. We will be very prudent and vigilant on the health of the athletes MARC EDWARD VELASCO

PSC Senior Executive Assistant

MANILA - Four days after

Mt. Taal spewed ashes which blanketed Batangas and nearby provinces, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has not lifted its instructions to suspend outdoor training for all national athletes.

“We have been coordinating with the NSAs to look for training alternatives. But then, PSC would always work on the safe side. We will be very prudent and vigilant on the health of the athletes,” PSC Senior Executive Assistant Marc Edward Velasco said as the agency underscores that good health is premium for the athletes’ performance.

The PSC suspended all outdoor training and physical activities of national athletes to ensure their safety.

“We cannot risk the health of our national athletes even after the ashfall has lessened. We try to see for another two days if we can resume the outdoor training,” Velasco added.

Some national teams that were affected mostly by the recent Taal eruption are the windsurfing and skateboard athletes, both based in Batangas.

The Philippine windsurfers are training and staying in Mabini,

Batangas which has been put under Alert Level 4 since Sunday.

“We also know that we cannot keep our training hanging for days, so we are now considering some alternatives like moving to Subic Bay Zambales or somewhere in Northern Luzon,” Philippine Windsurfing Association, Inc. President Manny Cabili said.

National skateboard athlete Mak Feliciano called on his co-athletes after the Taal eruption covered the newly-constructed three-hectare skate park in Tagaytay City with a thick layer of ashes, leaving it unusable for training or competition.