GAB: leagues must follow health rules

GAB chair Baham Mitra

With a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) that was supposed to govern the return of sports rendered “useless,” Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chair Abraham “Baham’’ Mitra is likely to give the green light to sports meets as long as the organizers follow strict health and safety protocols.

Mitra pointed out that the government’s JAO, a set of guidelines that oversees all sports activities in the entire country in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, has been subbed by approvals from local government units (LGUs) and a branch of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) lately.

“There are tournaments approved by the LGUs and got the permission from the regional IATF office, making the JAO useless,’’ said Mitra.

“I think it’s fine if everybody wishes to organize a tournament as long as health and safety protocols are being followed,’’ added Mitra.

The JAO was crafted as a blueprint for pro leagues to return to action and for national athletes to resume training. INQ