Baguio, US training eyed for PATAFA bets

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association is eyeing bubble training in Baguio as well as overseas training as part of its Southeast Asian Games preparations once the COVID-19 situation improves.

“The PATAFA executive body is now in close coordination with the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) and kinakasa na ang training period,” said PATAFA marketing head Edward Kho during yesterday’s PSC Hour.

“And based on preliminary talks, Baguio could host the national team,” he added.

Kho also bared plans of sending members of the long-distance team headed by SEAG women’s marathon gold medalist Christine Hallasgo to the United States.

“We’re looking for them to have a more conducive place to train like for example in the US, assuming matuloy ang SEA Games. Doon mas accessible ang training facilities, walang iiwasan,” he said.

National long-distance running coach Eduardo Buenavista, for his part, said they’ve never stopped training online but they would prefer to train outdoors since their event requires a lot of space and time.