Zubiri appointment quells doubts on PH hosting of 2019 SEA Games

Senator Migz Zubiri. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Doubts on the Philippine hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games were finally extinguished Thursday after President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri as chairman of the country’s organizing committee.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Butch Ramirez confirmed that Zubiri would be in charge of setting up the organization in collaboration with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the PSC, the sports-financing agency of the government.

“The senator will call a meeting with the POC and the PSC anytime next week,” said Ramirez, who got the confirmation from Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

READ: It’s official: PH agrees to host 2019 SEA Games

“The POC cannot operate without the government, so the role of Zubiri is to represent the President,” added Ramirez.

Majority of the money to mount the hosting of the 11-nation biennial games will come from the government through the PSC, including the funds for the construction of additional infrastructure and renovation of existing facilities.

This will be the fourth time the Philippines will host the SEA Games with the most recent one done in 2005 when Filipino athletes bagged their first overall title in the Games.

“We will provide the money while the government offices involved will help the POC run the technical aspect of the hosting,” said Ramirez, who also happened to be the PSC chair and chef de mission during the successful 2005 campaign.

READ: POC begins identifying 2019 Seag events

Prior to Zubiri’s appointment, the hosting teetered on the brink of being shelved after the PSC and the POC, a private entity recognized by the International Olympic Committee, disagreed on certain policies, especially on the training of athletes.