MANILA – The country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games has been postponed once again due to the same reason with other sporting events – the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
The ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) rescheduled the meet, which the Philippines will host as part of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, to October 3-9 from its original March 21 to 27 tournament dates.
“The dates serve as the new target dates for the 10th edition of the Games to help the Philippines ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee with the necessary arrangement and preparation,” said Osoth Bhavilai, secretary of the APSF board in a statement.
Bhavilai, however, stressed that the new schedule was tentative, citing the period was proposed “with conditions that the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control and no longer a threat to human”.
“The Board has agreed to convene another meeting at the end of July 2020 to assess the COVID-19 situation before confirming and proceeding with the proposed new dates for the Games,” Bhavilai said.
“This is to adhere to the regulation that the host notifies APSF at least 60 days before the commencement of the Games to allow time for the APSF Coordination Committee to inspect Games facilities and the host’s readiness,” he added./PN
