P-Noy Games will be injury-free

MANILA, Philippines - Although the Philippine National Games or P-Noy Games will primarily be an “open” competition, organizers will not force the issue in certain events where the disparity in terms of skills and experience between Phl mainstays and upstarts could lead to possible injuries.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia said the May 23-28 Games in Negros Occidental Province will not necessarily enforce the “open” policy in contact sports like boxing, taekwondo, and karatedo to ensure the safety of the participants.

“We’re careful about contact sports because the athletes from the provinces with less experience and expertise might get injured competing against members of the national team,” Garcia said.

“So we’ll try to limit the participation of those athletes from the provinces without sufficient experience. Right from registration, we’ll look at their credentials and screen them if they compete against the veterans,” he added.

The PSC has required all members of the Phl team and Phl pool to participate in the P-Noy Games, threatening to cut off their allowances if they fail to comply. Garcia said this is to make the joust a lot more competitive and prestigious, while serving as a way to gauge the national bets’ performances leading up to the SEA Games in November.

To date, a total of 31 national sports associations (NSAs) will be taking part in the event, designed as a simultaneous staging of the national open meets of the NSAs. It also aims to allow bets from the countryside to showcase their skills on the national stage and possibly vie for Phl slots.

“We’re mostly pushing for ‘open’ competition in non-contact sports like athletics, swimming or team events as these do not require physical contact that could lead to possible injuries,” Garcia said.