Blueprint for SEAG campaign being readied

MANILA, Philippines — Hanoi Southeast Asian Games chef de mission Ramon Fernandez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino will meet on Friday to prepare the blueprint for the country’s campaign in the biennial meet in November.

“We will have a face-to-face meeting to discuss everything about the SEAG so we can start preparations as soon as possible,” said Fernandez.

The 31st staging of the event is scheduled Nov. 21 to Dec. 2 with the Filipino athletes out to defend the overall title.

The PSC commissioner and former basketball superstar said among his priorities as chef de mission are getting government approval for the resumption of training for the athletes and finding the budget for the Hanoi-bound delegation.

Fernandez has yet to release a timetable as to when the training for the SEA Games would start but is hoping it could be soon.

“The focus for now is our Olympic athletes and hopefully our SEAG team will be allowed next,” he said.

Fernandez said they would use the same formula implemented in the 2019 edition where the host country took the overall title with a historic performance.

PSC chairman William Ramirez was chef de mission of the Philippine delegation in 2019.

With the proper financial support, Fernandez said there’s a strong chance for a top three finish.

“We will know the figures (better) after we are briefed on the number of events and the estimated number of athletes we will be sending in Hanoi,” said Fernandez.