Photo from Hali Long’s Facebook account
MANILA, Philippines—Accommodation isn’t the only issue hounding the Philippine women’s national football team ahead of its campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
According to reports, the Philippine Malditas also raised their issues over food and water at the hotel they are billeted for the duration of the SEA Games.
READ: PH women’s football team not spared from SEA Games hotel woes
“I’m not sure kung paano ang arrangement ng Phisgoc, but the quality and quantity of food is not enough. Sa variety din, like for this morning, hindi enough ‘yung rice and kikiam and egg. Walang nutrients,” said Let Dimzon, coach of the Philippine women’s football team, during a press conference Monday in a story posted on ABS-CBN News.
(I’m not sure what’s the arrangement with Phisgoc, but the quality and quantity of food is not enough. Also the variety, like for this morning, rice, kikiam and egg don’t have enough nutrients.)
“Supposedly, this is an international competition, it should be international course. But I think maybe the budget Phisgoc is shelling out is not enough to cover the quality of food,” she added in Filipino. “We’re the host country and it’s a bit disorganized. It feels bad for us.”
Dimzon wasn’t the only one who voiced out her team’s concerns.
Malaysia coach Joceph Jacob and Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung also shared the troubles they’ve encountered so far.
“Today, my breakfast, most of the players eat only bread and some egg. We have a big tournament, I hope they will improve the food,” the Malaysian mentor said.
“I hope that we have police escorts and don’t have to wait for the bus to arrive. I request to bring more food and escort. We wait for more than one hour for training,” said Chung.
Heeding the Malditas’ call, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the PFF had already acted on addressing the players’ needs.
“We’re trying our best to improve the situation,” Araneta told Cedelf Tupas of the Inquirer. “All the preparations of the team will only go to waste if their situation is not ideal during the actual tournament. We had to act on it quickly.”
The Philippines opens women’s football competition on Tuesday against Myanmar at 4 p.m. at Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan, Laguna.