POC begins identifying 2019 Seag events

Plans are now afoot for the selection of sports that would be played during the Philippine hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president Joey Romasanta has started to identify the disciplines that should be calendared in the 11-nation biennial Games.

“We don’t want to get caught flat-footed when they (SEAG Federation officials) ask for the sports that will see action here,” said Romasanta.

With two years to go, POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez have yet to sit down and discuss the organization and the details of the hosting.

Romasanta said they’re confident that everything will eventually be in order since the Philippines has already issued a government guarantee to the SEA Games Federation for the hosting of the biennial meet.

“I’ve been checking out our hosting in 2005, the preparation and the factors that led us to win the overall championship” said Romasanta.

The Philippines captured the overall title in the SEA Games for the first time when Manila hosted the meet 12 years ago.

At that time, Filipino athletes from 40 sports bagged 113 gold medals to rule the Games over Thailand (87 golds) and Vietnam (71).

Sports officials are looking at the Philippine Arena in Marilao, Bulacan, as possible hub of the Games while also considering Mall of Asia Arena and SMX Convention Center in Pasay City as indoor venues and Subic Bay for water sports.

The city of Tagum in Davao del Norte, has also committed to accommodate some of the sports in the SEAG.