POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The successful staging of the 30th Southeast Asian Games is just the beginning of bigger things to come which kicks off with the Tokyo Olympics seven months from now.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino already has his sights as far as the 2030 Asian Games where the country is planning to place its hosting bid.
“We’re now concentrating on our qualifiers for the Olympics. We still have time until May for those who want to qualify,” Tolentino told reporters in Filipino Tuesday.
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“We’re also focused on 2021 [SEA Games] and then, 2022 Asian Games. Next week, I will be bidding for the 2030 [Asian Games] in Jakarta,” Tolentino added.
The Asian Games had only been staged in the Philippines once in 1954.
“We’re going to study it. It’s going to be a long process. We have 10 yrs to prepare. The good thing is our workforce, the volunteers already have the experience.”
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This year’s SEA Games, the biggest yet with 56 contested sports, got off on the wrong foot but ended on a high note with the Philippines cruising to its first overall title since 2005 after winning 386 medals, 149 of which were gold.
“This [accomplishment] will not be repeated unless we host again,” said Tolentino.