POC calls on NSAs to save SEAG hosting

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Olympic Committee is hoping for full support from the close to 50 national sports associations (NSA) as it tries to save the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Malacañang announced last week that hosting the biennial event for the first time since 2005 is no longer in its list of priorities, and it is no longer interested in pursuing the costly task.

But the POC believes that there’s still time to save the hosting, and is hoping that by the time the 2019 SEA Games arrives, the crisis in Mindanao should be over.

“This is our chance. Maybe we can talk things over. I think we still have enough time,” said POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros yesterday.

The POC board will meet this morning and then will convene the general assembly at noon, hoping to draw the support as it appeals to President Duterte to change his mind.

“Otherwise, we will have to wait for a long time before we get another chance to host the SEA Games. The earliest could be 2025,” said Hontiveros.

The 2017 SEA Games will be staged next month in Malaysia, and if the Philippines formally gives up the 2019 hosting, either Indonesia or Thailand will grab the opportunity.

The 2021 SEA Games is already set in Vietnam, and the 2023 edition in Cambodia.

“If Indonesia hosts the 2019 SEA Games, Thailand will surely go for the 2025 hosting. That means the earliest chance we will get will be in 2027,” Hontiveros said.