Due to Covid-19 breakout, student-athletes who train everyday will no longer reach this year’s National Games after it was cancelled. (Mark Pinggol)

Due to the threat brought by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the 2020 Private Schools Athletics Association (PRISAA) National Games were cancelled to protect student-athletes from the breakout. 

In a statement last week, the PRISAA said that it is cancelling this year’s national competition in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration against the COVID-19.

The 2020 PRISAA National Games was originally set from April 15-24 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

“As per pronouncement of the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (on Thursday), PRISAA is postponing the National Games 2020 to 2021 (but) still in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan,” its statement said.

The Private Schools group shared all the qualified athletes in the 2020 National Games will have to participate again in next year’s qualifiers to earn slots.

“We were affected since para sa akon it is a dream of every athlete nga makahampnag sa national level. They work hard sa training kag sa mga games para malab-ot nila ang ila handom. Ang CPU ang may pina ka damo athletes and coaches nga malakat sa National PRISAA nga ma represent sg WV. But we have to look at man sang safety sang tanan,” shared CPU’s Edwin Caro Laru-an. 

The PRISAA National Games is the biggest annual sports competition for senior high school and college student-athletes coming from private schools, colleges, and universities. IMT