Organizers are keen on holding a full calendar of events should Season 83 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines happen in the first quarter of 2021.
League officials said this is possible since the situation involving efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic should have eased by that time.
“We’re looking at a full calendar. But when it will start, we have to look at what the government says,” said outgoing president Em Fernandez of Season 82 host Ateneo de Manila.
Fernandez, along with league commissioner Atty. Rebo Saguisag talked about the league’s state of affairs during yesterday’s online session of the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
League officials said they are still waiting for advisories from the government and the Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases on when it will be possible to have physical outdoor activities.
So far, according to Fernandez, they have been advised by the Philippine Sports Commission that it will not be possible to have events like the UAAP until December 2020.
The league is still not able to finalize the dates of calendar of activities, considering the numerous quarantine protocols currently being imposed.
Incoming league president Emmanuel “Nonong” Calanog of Season 83 host De La Salle University will soon discuss the calendar of activities in the coming months.
“Normalcy in the schools will take precedent. So, kung normal na ang pasok, which means online or face to face, normal mag-start ang schoolyear. Then, we can talk about UAAP sports,” added Fernandez. Peter Atencio
Fernandez said they are looking at following that format of the Southeast Asian Games, in which many events begin at the same time.
And under such a format, the season could end within one semester.
Organizers are planning a closing ceremony, which will also honor a general champion and also acknowledge student athletes, who were not able to play during Season 82 because many events were cancelled.
Officials believe that after more than two-thirds of the calendar were played in both the high school and college divisions, it is still fitting to have an overall titlist.
“Compared to the General Championship na 16 of the 18 (in high school) and 21 of the 31 (in college) were played, that’s more than two-thirds. But as to Athlete of the Year, iba ‘yung effect. ‘Yung mga overall championship, lahat ng school naka-participate,” said Saguisag. Peter Atencio
