IT’S official: Philippines will host the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano joined Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose S. Cojuangco Jr. in formally announcing the government’s acceptance of the responsibility to host the biennial multisport competition for the fourth time after 1981, 1991 and 2005.
The announcement was made at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. None of them, however, bared the principal reason why the government had a change of heart after announcing earlier that public funds would be focused on the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City instead of the Games.
“As a former athlete and coach, I do not look at medals as a standard of winning. Teamwork, unity, cooperation and the Filipino spirit is the real victory for me,” Ramirez said.
Cojuangco said: “The SEA Games are not only for Secretary Cayetano or Chairman Ramirez, this is for the whole country.”
Cayetano raplaced Sen Juan Miguel F. Zubiri as chairman of Games organizing committee.
The POC will confirm the country’s acceptance of the hosting chores in the SEA Games Federation Council meeting today in Kuala Lumpur.
Because of the conflict in Marawi City, Mindanao has been scrapped as a satellite venue. Games will be played in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Clark, among others.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes