ONLY four sports will be played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 96 program.
And the NCAA is focused on resuming action in the first quarter of 2021, a league statement on Thursday said.
The compulsory sports of basketball, volleyball, swimming and athletics would be played in Season 96, although the league is eyeing to include online chess and esports.
“Season 96, which will have Colegio de San Juan de Letran as host, shall begin in the early months of 2021, subject to the decisions of the government for the favorable conduct of games, which strictly observing proper health protocols,” the statement, co-signed by Season 96 President Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, OP and Chairman Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, said.
The NCAA traditionally hosts 11 sports. Scrapped for next season are football, tennis, soft tennis, softball, table tennis and taekwondo. Cheerleading is also a medal sport in the league.
The NCAA also said it would relax its rules on eligibility and academic requirements for the coming season.
“Some rules and requirements on student-athletes’ eligibility such as age, enrolment, grades and even playing years, shall be relaxed,” the statement said. “It remains the NCAA’s top priority to ensure the safety and health of our student-athletes, coaches and trainers, and the general viewing public.”
The NCAA furthered: “The league’s objective of youth development through sports deserves our unequivocal support in order to continue and contribute to the future of our nation and our world,” the league said.
Hosted by Arellano University, Season 95 of the country’s oldest collegiate was terminated last March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, no school was declared champion in volleyball, beach volleyball, football, tennis, table tennis, soft tennis, athletics and under-15 basketball.
Like the NCAA, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) set a January opening for its 83rd season, although everything would still depend on the availability of a vaccine to guarantee the safety and health of athletes, coaches, officials and fans.
Philippine sports remains shuttered but major leagues and tournaments, including horseracing, have declared their strong intentions for their return.