GAB sets 'supplemental JAO' for 2021 pro sports seasons

Some rules to the joint administrative order on professional sports will be adjusted in preparation of the resumption of many leagues this year. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—With more club leagues resuming play this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Games and Amusements Board bared that there will be tweaks to the joint administrative order it put up together with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Health.

"This 2021, we will implement the provisions of the supplemental guidelines or supplemental JAO," GAB said in a statement on Friday night.

The agency did not disclose the supplemental additions, but it further said, "On Monday, there will be a virtual public consultation between GAB and different professional sports associations in the country in order to get sides and thoughts of our stakeholders about these supplemental guidelines."

GAB added that the new regulations, which are said to "clarify the rules governing the holding of athletic bubble and training," could be crucial in the staging of the games for 2021.

"This new order will really determine the future of all sports events in the country this year," the agency further said.

But GAB assured, "We will make sure that GAB is on top of everything."

While the COVID-19 situation is expected to ease up with the inoculation of the vaccines, GAB called on all the professional shorts stakeholders "to continue to adhere with the IATF and DOH guidelines in order to ensure the safety of our Pinoy pro athletes and the general public."

The new year in Philippine sports will commence on Jan. 16 with the start of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines' all-Filipino conference.

A preseason tournament will first take place this Saturday.

Meanwhile, mixed martial artist Lito Adiwang will be the first individual pro athlete in action for the year as he takes on Hexigetu at One: Unbreakable in Singapore on Jan. 22.

Finally resuming after taking the whole year off are the PVL and the BVR, which have now been granted professional statuses by GAB.

Juego Todo, which was stalled due to the pandemic, will resume as well, while another regional basketball league, the VisMin Super Cup, will open shop on April.

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