[ad_1]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 1) – After six long months, the Philippine Football League (PFL) clubs are finally returning to the field when they officially resume training on Wednesday.
PFL Commissioner Coco Torre announced that United City Football Club, Kaya FC-Iloilo and Stallion Laguna FC will have the first opportunity to train under strict health protocols at the Philippine Football Federation’s national training center in Carmona, Cavite.
Torre said they particularly instructed players to practice due diligence.
“Itong ginagawa namin (what we are doing) to resume training in the middle of the pandemic, ang pinaka-important dito is sundan talaga nila yung (the most important thing here is that they follow) the instructions because the cooperation of each and every one is vital to what we are trying to achieve, ”he said during the Philippine Sports Writers Association forum on Tuesday.
The PFL is the only soccer league that the COVID-19 interagency task force allows to resume training in general community quarantine, which will be limited to group fitness sessions of five.
Torre added that the protocols implemented were designed to maximize security and minimize the spread of COVID-19, while taking cues from soccer leagues in Europe and Southeast Asia that have since resumed training amid the pandemic.
He added that the training center is ready even for night training sessions.
Torre said there are four soccer areas in Carmona, two of which are the size of an official field, while the other two are mini pitches.
“[W]We can have twenty (practice sessions) at the same time due to spatial consideration, ”he said.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta is also eager to see the resumption of the long-delayed 2020 season, which could start as early as October if “all goes well” in the next days.
Araneta said they will appeal for the league’s resumption after 15 to 20 days of training in Carmona.
If the season is restarted, Torre said the actual games will also be played in Carmona, but the league has yet to study whether entering a “bubble” or conducting frequent testing are viable options.
Torre pointed out that the National Basketball Association made a bubble, but said that the case of soccer leagues is different, that it is “at home or away.” He said both options are feasible, but are still evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness in containing the virus.
The PFL admitted they are in a race against time and the format of the competition will largely depend on how much time they have left in the year to finish the season.
One silver lining, however, is increased funding from FIFA, the world’s governing body for the sport, to help Philippine soccer recover amid the global health crisis. The PFF will receive more than $ 1 million that could be used in part to fund the restart of the PFL, Araneta said.
Six soccer clubs are expected to play in the 2020 season, including United City FC, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Azkals Development Team, Stallion Laguna FC and newcomer Maharlika FC.
[ad_2]
