SEA Games: Only the best for polo’s royalty

MANILA, Philippines — Away from the main hub of the 30th SEAG Games, which is  the New Clark City Sports Complex in Tarlac, work at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas is at feverish pace.

While the field looks great, the Bamboo Pavilion – from the architect’s rendering – is fabulous as it is majestically designed since royalty from Brunei and Malaysia and other VIPs of the region are likely to watch the matches.

United Polo Players Association (UPPA) chairman and Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacman Partylist) yesterday said Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian King Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah are expected to come over for the SEA Games.

 “We’re now excited since work is now in full blast. We want to have a first-class field and first-class competition,” said Romero. “We want to show that we  Filipinos  are capable of hosting an event like the SEA Games.”

Romero is hoping that the field and other facilities will be completed weeks before the Nov. 25 opening.

Romero is likewise confident that with the election of Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, polo will continue to flourish.

“Philippine sports is in good hands since unity is Tolentino’s foremost goal,” said Romero, who once headed the shooting and cycling association.

The former “godfather” of amateur basketball also challenged all heads of various national sports associations  (NSAs) to focus on winning the overall championship in the biennial meet.

“This year is our time to shine in the sporting arena,” said Romero.

UPPA is headed by Coco Garcia with Jun Juban as secretary-general, Tonio Veloso as executive-general and Jun Eusebio as vice chairman.