Baguio bowlers expressed hope that the city government would allow bowling alleys to resume operations, citing the sport as a non-contact game.
Jayson Nikko Go, president of the Summer Capital Ten Pin Bowling Association, said they will seek an audience with Mayor Benjamin Magalong regarding the reopening of bowling centers in the city.
“I think what the mayor wants is a more detailed procedure and protocol to be followed,” Go said.
Go, also the executive vice president of the Philippine Bowling Federation, said the federation through its board of trustees has already carved a guideline on the conduct of the sport during this Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the guideline has been submitted to the Philippine Sports Commission for review.
Under the guideline, a new normal playing style will be implemented to conform to the health and safety measure and physical distancing protocol of the Interagency Task Force.
Go also shared the sentiment of bowling champion and Hall of Famer Paeng Nepomuceno, who said bowling should be one of the first sports allowed to resume since there is no physical contact involved.
Nepomuceno, in a national daily report, said bowlers can have their own set of balls and that what needs to be observed is the sanitation of bowling center surroundings and equipment, like bowling bowls and shoes.
The city government has only allowed the conduct of no contact physical activities like running, walking, and zumba in city roads, at Burnham Park, and Athletic Bowl since the city’s transition to general community quarantine.
With the pandemic, lined up events of the SCTBA such as the 11th SCTBA Prima Pasta Open Masters Championship supposed to be held on March 17 to 22 was postponed since the government declared the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine on March 17.
Go said the resumption of the event will depend on the country’s Covid-19 situation. – Ofelia C. Empian
