PH unfazed by SEA Games snafu: Palace

FILE: Presidential Chief Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in Nonthaburi, Thailand on November 3, 2019. AVITO DALAN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — The Philippines is looking forward to a historic milestone in hosting the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite several logistical issues that plagued the biennial regional sports meet, Malacañang said on Saturday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador said the country remains unshaken by the recent SEA Games’ mishaps.

“Today, November 30, the most awaited opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is expected to take place at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. This event signals the official start of this biennial regional multi-sport event that is scheduled to run until December 11,” Panelo said.

“We are undaunted by the initial snafus in logistics which were unfortunately aggravated by the proliferation of fake news, as we commence with excitement — and hope for a historic milestone — in hosting the 30th SEA Games,” he added.

Some of the foreign athletes from 10 other participating nations experiences problems on transportation, accommodation, and food ahead of the formal opening of the 30th SEA Games at the Philippine Arena on Saturday.

On Friday night, President Rodrigo Duterte apologized for the inconvenience, and assured the public that he would order an investigation into the possible negligence of SEA Games’ organizers.

The President is expected to lead the formal opening of the regional sports meet at The Philippine Arena on Saturday night.

Panelo echoed the President’s remarks, and guaranteed a fair probe.

“At any rate, we wish to reiterate the country’s apology for whatever inconvenience the athletes went through, as well as this Administration’s commitment to probe whatever irregularities there were, if any, in the preparation of the event,” he said.

The Palace official said the Philippines would exhaust all means to ensure the successful hosting of the sports event , as well as to “showcase the culture and hospitality of the Filipinos but also to contribute in the strengthening of our friendship with our neighbors in the region.”

He also expressed hope that all the athletes would give their best.

“May this occasion therefore push the athletes and their support staff to generate into friendly competitive action their trainings and preparations, and realize the true value of sports even as they experience it through cooperation, understanding and solidarity,” he said.

“We wish all participating athletes the best as they compete for honors for themselves and the countries they proudly represent,” Panelo added.

The 30th SEA Games will run from November 30 to December 11.

Some 8,750 athletes from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, Singapore, and Vietnam will compete in 530 events in 56 sports.