Wrestling is in danger of missing the 30th Southeast Asian Games, but the leadership of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP) will not take the issue sitting down.
WAP president Alvin Aguilar said on Friday they would appeal the decision of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) to exclude their sport in the Games.
Phisgoc chief operating officer Ramon Suzara notified Aguilar that Phisgoc has not received any official authorization from the United World Wrestling and United World Wrestling Asia to proceed in organizing the sport in the SEA Games.
“We will make an appeal. All participating countries have already agreed on the events and weight categories as early as January,” Aguilar told the Inquirer.
“There was a miscommunication because our IF (international federation) was never consulted about the rules,” Aguilar added.
The wrestling chief said he would seek the help of Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and the leaders of the participating countries that are all hoping the sport will be played in the SEAG as planned.
Wrestling was supposed to stake 14 gold medals.
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia also want wrestling included.