FILE – NCAA Season 95 opening ceremony. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The NCAA on Monday announced the indefinite suspension of all remaining events as well as the possibility of abruptly ending its 95th season due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a statement, the NCAA Management Committee, headed by chairman Peter Cayco of host Arellano University, said the direction is to ensure the safety and welfare of the students, athletes, fans and officials.
“Due to the declaration of the Department of Health of Red Alert Sub-Level 1, and the guidance issued by the Department of Education that concerns gatherings or out-of-school activities, all NCAA activities are hereby suspended until further notice,” the statement read.
“The Policy Board is set to meet soon to discuss the possibility of postponing the games, or cancelling all together all games.
“The action of the NCAA is for the safety and welfare of the students, the athletes, the fans and the officials.”
As of posting time, the Philippines has now 20 confirmed cases of the virus, including the first local transmission, after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 10 more cases on Monday.
Earlier in the day, President Rodrigo Duterte has also placed the country under a state of public health emergency.