“TULOY ANG 30TH SEAG SA ‘PINAS, WALANG ATRASAN” – CABALLERO

SIGURADONG sa ban­­sa ang hosting ng 30th Southeast Asian Games sa Nob. 30 - Dec.12 at iyan ang tiniyak ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sa pamumuno ni president Ricky Vargas.

Ipinahatid ni POC secretary-general Karen Tanchanco-Caballero ang naturang balita. “One thing we (POC) can assure all of you now is that the 30th Southeast Asian Games is still happening in the Philippines come Nov. 30,” ani Caballero nang magsalita sa 16th “Usapang Sports” ng TOPS sa Intramuros, Manila.

Pinabulaanan ni Caballero, pangulo ng Pilipi­nas Sepak Takraw Association ang ulat na aatras na ang bansa sa pag-host ng SEA Games at ililipat na lamang sa Thailand o Indonesia. “That’s not true (giving up as host). In fact, POC president Vargas reiterated our commitment as host during our recent POC meeting last March 21,” paliwanag ni Caballero. “We’re still very much on board. We’re hopeful that other groups involved like the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) under Chairman Butch Ramirez, and PHISGOC (Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee), headed by Sen. Alan Cayetano are also on board.”

“Mas hopeful kami ngayon now that our budget will be released very soon para it’s all systems go na as far as preparation. I understand that there are some concerns about the election fever that we need to take into consideration. But I know Filipinos are very excited about it. And once everything is in play, with the private sector and sponsors coming in, it’s all systems go.”

Niliwanag din ni Caballero ang papel ng POC at PHISGOC sa pagho-host ng SEA Games. “PHISGOC has the marketing and broadscating team under them. Our concentration is sports side and game services,” at idinagdag niya na ang venues na gagamitin sa biennial event para sa ikaapat na pagkakataon ay kinumpirma ni SEAG ve­nue director David Carter ng judo na 90-95 porsi­yento nang inaayos.