Weightlifting chief pleas to make tickets free, suspend classes for SEA Games

SEA Games torch run at Clark, Pampanga. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Let the public watch the games for free and suspend classes as well.

That’s the plea of long-time weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella to no less than President  Rodrigo Duterte and the organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian Games which will formally begin on Saturday.

Games in water polo, polo, netball and football have already started in different areas in Metro Manila and Central Luzon since last Tuesday.

“Let’s to allow the public watch the games for free in the spirit of unity and to maximize home court advantage,” said Puentevella, former congressman and chair of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

He added classes in Metro Manila schools and those in Clark and Subic should be suspended to allow students to rally behind Team Philippines in all venue of the Games.

“I suggest to President Duterte through Phisgoc chair Speaker Alan Cayetano to free the games to avail the true spirit of “homecourt advantage” for our fighting athletes and allow the less privileged to enjoy the true spirit of unity in the forthcoming Seagames this coming weekend,” he said in a statement.

“After watching the exciting football match between our team drawing Cambodia with only half the stadium filled with cheering football Pinoy fanatics, I’m sure there were many more waiting outside who wanted to just experience the Games but couldn’t come in because they couldn’t afford the tickets,” he added.

Puentevella said Team Philippines will need all the support it could get especially in non popular sports.