MANILA – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is looking to commence its Season 96 in the early months of 2021 as the league anticipates the coronavirus disease 2019 situation in the country by that time is better.
Next season’s host Colegio de San Juan de Letran announced on Thursday that there will only be four sporting events that are going to take part in the shortened season. The following are: basketball, volleyball, swimming, and athletics.
“Season 96, which will have Colegio de San Juan de Letran as host, shall begin in the early months of 2021, subject to the decision of the government for the favorable conduct of games, while strictly observing proper health protocols,” Letran said in a statement.
Apart from the four regular sports events, the NCAA is also finalizing online chess and esports as its two demonstrative sports for the upcoming season.
The NCAA will also relax its rules and eligibility requirements of student-athletes, particularly in age, playing years, enrollments, and grades as participating schools are also adjusting to the “new normal.”
In the past few years, the NCAA started most of its seasons late June or early July. Its first semester sports were played until November and for some, in December, while its second semester sports began in January.
To recall, COVID-19 forced the NCAA Management Committee to cancel the remaining sporting events of its Season 95 – hosted by Arellano University – on March 19.
Affected second semester games were volleyball, beach volleyball, football, athletics, lawn and soft tennis, and cheerleading./PN
