ATHLETES bound for the 31st Southeast Asian Games could find themselves training in separate bubbles in different local government units (LGUs) instead of a singular confined environment.
The option was raised during a meeting presided over Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, Team Philippines’ chef de mission to the SEA Games Hanoi is hosting from November 21 to December 2.
“The PSC board is open to partnering with LGUs which would be willing to ‘adopt’ teams to train in their areas,” said Fernandez, adding the idea was based on the fencing and archery associations holding their own training bubble in Ormoc City and Dumaguete City, respectively.
PSC National Training Director Marc Velasco said an LGU-backed training bubble for each sport would be more ideal than the Inspire Sports Institute facility in Calamba where a few dozens Tokyo Olympics aspirants trained.
“We are talking of almost a thousand athletes so putting them in one bubble would not be viable,” Velasco said.
The PSC approved a 626-athlete delegation Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino recommended for SEA Games. They will participate in 39 of the 40 sports on the Vietnam program.
Herding the SEA Games-bound athletes in bubbles at PSC-controlled facilities are impossible at the moment, according to Fernandez.
The Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Rizal Memorial Coliseum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila are catering to a combined 181 Covid-19 patients, while the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City has 71 patients.
“Despite the uncertainties, the national team could be certain that we are working very hard to make sure they are prepared to defend our SEA Games title,” Fernandez said.
Deputy chefs de mission Pearl Managuelod and Atty. Al Agra, POC Deputy Secretary-General Karen Caballero, PSC doctor Janis Ann de Vera and Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. joined Fernandez and Velasco in the online meeting.
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