Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 1) — After six long months, Philippines Football League (PFL) clubs are finally returning to the pitch as they officially resume training Wednesday.
PFL Commissioner Coco Torre announced that United City Football Club, Kaya FC-Iloilo, and Stallion Laguna FC will have first crack at training under strict health protocols at the national training center of the Philippine Football Federation in Carmona, Cavite.
Torre said they particularly instructed players to practice due diligence.
“Itong ginagawa namin (What we are doing) to resume training amidst the pandemic, ang pinaka-importante dito is sundan talaga nila yung (what is most important here is for them to follow) instructions because cooperation from each and every one is vital to what we’re trying to achieve,” he said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum Tuesday.
The PFL is the only football league permitted by the COVID-19 inter-agency task force to resume training under general community quarantine, which will be limited to physical conditioning sessions in groups of five.
Torre added that the protocols in place were designed to maximize safety and to minimize the spread of COVID-19, while taking cues from football leagues in Europe and Southeast Asia that have since resumed training amid the pandemic.
He added that the training center is ready even for evening training sessions.
Torre said there are four football areas in Carmona, two of which have the size of an official field while the other two are mini pitches.
“[W]e can have twenty (practice sessions) at the same time because of the spatial consideration,” he said.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, likewise, is eager to see the resumption of the long-postponed 2020 season which could start as early as October if “everything goes well” in the coming days.
Araneta said they will be appealing for the resumption of the league after 15 to 20 days of training in Carmona.
Should the season restart, Torre said actual games will also be played in Carmona, but the league has yet to study whether entering a “bubble” or frequent testing are viable options.
Torre noted that the National Basketball Association did a bubble but he said the case for football leagues is different, which is either “home or away.” He said both options are doable, but they are still assessing efficiency and effectiveness in containing the virus.
The PFL admitted they are in a race against the clock and the competition format will greatly depend on how much time they have left in the year to finish the season.
One silver lining, however, is the boost in funding from FIFA, the sport’s world governing body, to help Philippine football recover amid the global health crisis. The PFF is set to receive over $1 million which could be partly used to fund the PFL restart, Araneta said.
Six football clubs are expected to play in the 2020 season including United City FC, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Azkals Development Team, Stallion Laguna FC and newcomer Maharlika FC.
