The Azkals Development Team (ADT) has found its own training location—and is already there: The private luxury island resort of Balesin in Quezon province, where the squad is preparing for the 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) season.
ADT manager Dan Palami said the team flew to the island over the weekend even as it awaits clearance from the PFL to start training under strict health protocols.
The members-only island resort actually has a regular size natural grass football field.
“I think it’s an ideal location for our training bubble,” said Palami, who declined to reveal the cost of holding a camp there.
Palami assured that players and staff underwent PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing before flying to the island resort.
“The team followed strict health protocols,” Palami assured.
“After they were tested, they had to be isolated as they waited for their results. Immediately after clearing the tests, they were shuttled to the airport and flew to Balesin.”
For now, players are just doing their own individual workouts.
PFL commissioner Coco Torre said he still has to get clearance from the government on the bubble training of the ADT, which is an invited team in the league.
The five other clubs in the PFL currently train at the PFF (Philippine Football Federation) National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite province.
“They’ve been advised not to conduct any football-related activity until they’ve been given the green light,” Torre said.
“They must adhere to guidelines set by the PFF and the joint administrative order, which ensures safety and security of individuals. They are fully aware of the repercussions of conducting football activities without clearance.”
Football and basketball were among the first sports granted permission by the government to resume individual workouts. INQ