THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF), just like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), has no choice but to move back the planned return to training of teams in the Philippine Football League (PFL).
With President Duterte’s order for the imposition of a 14-day modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and neighboring cities starting on Tuesday, professional team sports had to postpone all its planned return to activity by at least two weeks.
“The PFF exhorts everyone to observe best practices in combating Covid-19, cooperate with local and national authorities, and be safe and healthy during the ongoing state of public health emergency in the country,” the PFF said in a statement on Tuesday.
The PFF said it intends to kick off training after the MECQ is lifted.
PFL teams were permitted to start training under strict health guidelines through the Joint Administrative Order drawn by the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board and the Department of Health.
The PFF was all set to bring the teams for training at the National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, until President Duterte decided on the MECQ.
The Carmona facility boasts of an International Football Federation-funded artificial turf and two mini pitches sponsored by the Asian Football Confederation.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial announced on Monday that the league is postponing return-to-training activities of its 12 teams.