Dark clouds over 2019 SEA Games
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Feb 2019
Ricky Vargas.
Call it a baby storm, impending disturbance, anything, there clearly is trouble brewing over the country?s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games later this year.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas has declared that the lack of time to train and prepare the national athletes tops the list of problems.
There?s also the absence of funds and the disruption that could be caused by the mid-term polls in May.
The training facilities for national athletes are still being built.
?Nakakatakot, it?s scary,? Vargas cried.
Vargas said it?s too late already and they need to rush, move very fast.
Contrary to glowing reports, construction of game venues has reportedly fallen behind schedule. Preparations, if they have ever been properly started, are anything but trouble-free.
Vargas said there are the other elements of hosting, like bringing in sponsors.
?Who are the major sponsors; time and expertise are also necessary to bring in sponsors,? he added.
With no visible immediate solution, Vargas has pointed to the signing by Malaca?ang of Memorandum Order No. 56, as a possible relief.
The memo calls on all government agencies, government-controlled corporations, local government units (LGUs) to extend full support.
Oddly, the LGUs will always be there, but there?s no one to at least guide them on what to do.
Truth is that the SEA Games hosting, initially turned down by President Duterte, happened in a snap through the machinations of non-performing and overstaying POC officials who have since been voted out of office.
Alan Peter Cayetano, the former secretary of foreign affairs, was surprisingly announced to head the powerful Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Philsogoc), obviously with no exact idea of his function and responsibilities.
As president of the host national Olympic committee, Vargas heads the 11-nation Southeast Asian Games Federation.
Cayetano has, however, assumed the role of Executive Officer (EO), with power to assign people of his choice to vital positions.
Shouldn?t Cayetano stand up and give the honest score on the troubled hosting of the biennial regional Games?
He could still be of help, no matter how late.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Technological evolution or revolution?
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 03 Sep 2025Result or Matias-Smith WBC super lightweight title match purse bid
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Sep 2025Vicelles fights in Japan on Sept. 7
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Sep 2025Yoelvis Gomez Speaks After Winning the WBA Continental Latin America Title
Wed, 03 Sep 2025Connor Coyle sets the record straight ‘Clean from Day One. Never cheated, never will’
Wed, 03 Sep 2025Requito stops Bambam in 3rd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Sep 2025Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Pacman back into full-time boxing
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
Tue, 02 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
By Eric Armit, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Sep 2025