Volley restart must be safe for everyone

Chery Tiggo got off to a hot start when the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix was shelved by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in March. But even though talks of resuming the league are on, Crossovers owner Rommel Sytin finds no reason to rush.“Unless there is a go signal from IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases), we will have to look after the safety of all stakeholders,” Sytin told the Inquirer. In fact, if it’s up to him, Sytin would like everything to resume “two months after [the] lifting [of] the lockdown.”By then, the threat has likely dissipated and the players can get back in shape for high-level competition.

It’s an admirable statement coming from a team owner who has maintained his club during this long break, and the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) is also not into taking things in haste. LVPI president Joey Romasanta said that if and when it would come up with a recommendation, it will have to begin with a mandatory COVID-19 test for players, coaches and utilities.

“Given the protocols of the IATF, if we are to recommend guidelines, we have to test everyone first, plus give them general medical clearance,” Romasanta said.

Because players generally have strong immune systems, it can’t rule out that there might be somebody who is an asymptomatic carrier. “It takes just one to get sick to warrant a quarantine for everyone,” the LVPI chief said.Romasanta said Thailand volleyball already came up with its own guidelines, which will allow teams to practice together. But aside from the players, only 10 other nonplayers will be allowed inside the area.

“It will have to start with the club leagues because for the rest of the year, the national teams have no tournaments to prepare for,” he said. INQ