GAB hosts pro sports summit, eyes ‘best practices’

The resumption of professional sports in the Philippines will be discussed in a virtual summit organized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Dec. 5, which will be participated in by organization leaders, managers, coaches and athletes.

“We are doing this to show everyone that Philippine professional sports is back,’’ GAB Chair Abraham “Baham’’ Mitra said.

“Here, we intend to showcase the best practices to guide future leagues as we aim to adapt to the times, especially with the ongoing pandemic,’’ the former Palawan governor said.

Pro leagues such as the Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Football League, and other fledgling basketball tournaments such as the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, East Asia Super League, National Basketball League and Women’s National Basketball League will attend the summit.

Also set to participate in the conference is the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, a brainchild of Grandmaster Eugene Torre, as well as organizations in pro boxing, mixed martial arts, esports, horse racing and cockfighting.

“The holding of a virtual sports summit is an important endeavor especially at this time,’’ said Mitra, who will host the convention along with his commissioners Mario Masanguid and Eduard Trinidad.

“We intend to collect new ideas and best practices from high-profile sports stakeholders and professional athletes to accelerate the growth of pro sports in the Philippines even in the midst of the pandemic,’’ he added.

The GAB proved instrumental for the resumption of pro sports after drawing up a joint administrative order with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Health that guided the leagues in springing back into action following a shutdown caused by the coronavirus health crisis.