Not game ready
On Thursday, I asked a couple of students if the country deserves to be the host venue of this year’s Southeast Asian Games. Their essays spawned many ideas which delighted me. If students with ages ranging from seven to 12 could think very highly of our place, what about us adults?
Back in 2005, I remember well that it was also our turn to host the SEA Games. We were very busy then as high school students in state universities were asked to be volunteers for the different sporting events. It was a fun experience as I recalled because I was able to meet new people and friends. I learned a lot about the ASEAN and the culture of the many countries that comprise it. I haven’t heard of a backlash then, or there was none that I could recall. It was smooth as I could remember.
That being said, it is very clear that like other countries, we should also be given the chance to host a big event as such. In all sense, we deserve a share of the spotlight but nobody expected it to be in this manner. I guess the organizers lacked coordination with those who knew well how to take care of sporting events. There wasn’t any proper turnover of knowledge from one generation to the next. What made it all worse was the presence of social media. Those behind the ASEAN are now being put on a spot where they cannot defend themselves immediately. This is very sad. Had they been open about their preparations, then they could have been guided all the way.
Edward Hayco, the chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, said that we can always “make up.” That in its sense is true, because there is still time to bring back the glory we have lost. Investigation will take its proper course but at the moment, we can still redeem ourselves. That is why I loved it when help poured in to make the SEA Games a better one. We should have this spirit but not forget to make those to blame accountable. They should explain and be accountable for everything they did in the proper time.
I am rooting for every athlete in the country. Although, I couldn’t hide my disappointment with all that has happened but maybe this has opened doors to a lot of realizations and opportunities. As the games unfold, may the best athlete win without any bias and in their proper glory. There will be a long way to go and discussions have to take place. But maybe we can do our part by making our visitors feel like this is the best place they have gone to, not just by the sight they see or the food they eat, but by the hospitality that we can give to everyone.
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