In this photo taken on November 30, 2019, athletes and officials from Cambodia march during the opening ceremony of the SEA Games the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Even before Vietnam could make its hosting chores in the coming 31st Southeast Asian Games fully operational, Cambodia is already deadset on commencing its own preparations in earnest for the succeeding staging of the 11-nation sports fest.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino will leave for Phnom Pehn on Thursday to sit down in the Southeast Asian Games Federation meeting for Cambodia’s staging of the 32nd SEA Games next year.
“We will be tackling all concerns regarding Cambodia’s hosting, the sports to be played, doping, the technical aspect and women in sports, among others,’’ said Tolentino.
Joining Tolentino in the SEAG Federation gathering is Bones Floro, the POC deputy secretary general for international affairs.
POC women’s committee head Bong Coo of bowling will likewise travel with the delegation together with POC broadcast committee chief Ramon “Tats’’ Suzara of volleyball and triathlon’s Tom Carrasco, the head of the sports and rules committee.
Tolentino and Floro will attend the SEAG Federation executive board meeting on Friday while Coo, Carrasco and Suzara will represent the country in the committee meetings where sports and rules, medical and doping, women in sports and broadcast rights will be discussed.
“It’s a regular meeting. The host country normally holds these talks a year ahead of the Games,’’ said Tolentino.
Also to be laid on the table are the progress reports of the Vietnam SEA Games on May 12-23, Cambodia’s preparation for 2023 and the 33rd edition in Thailand in 2025.
The SEAG Federation gathering will likewise confirm the host countries for the 34th SEAG in 2027 and 35th edition in 2029.
The Cambodia SEA Games was initially scheduled February 2023, but was moved to May 5-16 due to the postponement of the Hanoi SEA Games due to the raging COVID-19 global health crisis last year.