PSL secures IATF nod for beach volleyball bubble

The Philippine Superliga (PSL) has secured the permission of the government’s COVID-19 task force to hold a beach volleyball tournament under a “sports bubble” concept, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the games would be played in one location similar to the set up of the Philippine Basketball Association, which holds matches for its 45th season in Pampanga.

The PSL is eyeing to hold the tournament in Subic, subject to strict observance of health and safety protocols, according to the resolution approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Thursday.

These protocols will be finalized in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, local Regional Task Force COVID-19, and local Department of Health Center for Health Development for the necessary training in contact tracing and designation of an occupational safety and health officer, among others.

The conditions set by the IATF also include the finalization of the accommodation establishments, metes and bounds of the area to be covered by a sports bubble, and compliance to government guidelines on the conduct of health-enhancing physical activities and sports during the pandemic.

All future requests for the conduct of sporting events by any entity must be addressed to the Regional Task Force COVID-19 of the locality where such activity is proposed to be conducted, the IATF said, provided that its approval shall be made in close coordination with the local government unit with jurisdiction over the proposed venue.

The PSL canceled its 2020 Grand Prix in March after President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a sweeping lockdown across Luzon to curb the spread of COVID-19.—AOL, GMA News