GAB chief: Elite violated IATF guidelines
The Blackwater Elite are also in hot water as far as the Games and Amusements Board is concerned.
GAB chairman Baham Mitra said the PBA squad faces possible sanction for “violation of restrictions” for holding practice over the weekend.
“We will be writing Blackwater a letter or a show cause order to give due process,” Mitra said yesterday.
He explained that even though Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had announced PBA and Philippines Football League teams will be allowed practice and conditioning, it hasn’t been officially ratified and issued yet.
“The JAO (Joint Administrative Order) of the GAB, Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Health plus the IATF resolution have not yet come out,” the GAB chief said, stressing the JAO’s recommendation is subject to approval and signature of DOH Sec. Francisco Duque.
“They (Blackwater) violated the omnibus guidelines of the IATF on safety protocols,” he added.
GAB is conducting a separate probe from the PBA. The pro league had already asked Blackwater to explain its side on the team workout session its owner mentioned on TV5’s Sports Page last Monday.
“They will be dealt with separately by the PBA and GAB. Possible fines and suspensions will be issued,” said Mitra.
He clarified that the PBA and PFL teams must wait for the official issuance of the JAO and the IATF resolution with the corresponding approved protocols before actually heading to their training venues.
In the show, the Blackwater owner mentioned the Elite holding a team workout last Saturday with two clusters of four players each session and observing the PBA’s health and safety guidelines.
In his letter to Blackwater governor Silliman Sy, commissioner Willie Marcial made it clear that “physical conditioning activities will not yet start without formal notice” from his office.
Moreover, he reiterated that workout sessions will not be allowed to commence “without the players undergoing the required swab tests.”