National athletes going digital training amid COVID-19 pandemic — PSC’s Ramon Fernandez

National athletes across the country have been virtually training to remain at the top of their games amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Ramon Fernandez said Tuesday.

“They have been home-based training, trying to keep their best physical shape with the help of the national sports associations. Hanggang doon na lang muna, staying safe,” Fernandez said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“They’re training on their own but they are being monitored by NSAs. We’re monitoring them because we’re [continuously] supporting them,” he said.

COVID-19 has forced the country’s athletes to stay at home and find creative ways to remain in tiptop shape, Fernandez said.

He added that the PSC will not host any sporting events until a vaccine is available.

“Ang PSC wala pang gagawing tournament or games as far as sports is concerned. Gaya ng nabanggit ng ating presidente, kailangan muna natin ng bakuna to be safe,” he said.

However, Fernandez said the PSC is preparing plans to conduct online coaching seminars.

“As for the sporting events, malayo pa sa isip namin ‘yon, although, we have plans of conducting online coaching seminars — that’s being studied now in the drawing board,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fernandez said non-contact sports such as golf, tennis, badminton, swimming, equestrian and skateboarding are being considered under the general community quarantine.

According to the guidelines released by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), outdoor non-contact sports may resume provided that minimum public health standards are followed.

Fernandez also urged local sports commissions of the different local government units to start training their athletes in non-contact sports. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News