SEA Games hosts allowed just 1 indigenous sport
Gone were the days when the host country had a monopoly of sports to be played in the Southeast Asian Games.
Instead of featuring sports alien to most participants, the biennial games will stage more Olympic disciplines starting next year in Myanmar.
Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Steve Hontiveros yesterday reported before the body’s general assembly that the 11-nation sportsfest will hold at least 21 Olympic sports out of the 31 already approved.
Hontiveros said the Myanmar Games would set the precedent of host countries giving more weight to Olympic events.
“We’ve been batting for this for a long time and finally it will come true,” said Hontiveros, who attended the SEAG Federation Council meeting in Myanmar.
Hontiveros added the host country can only bring schedule one indigenous sport of its choice.
“So we can expect the succeeding SEA Games to be like the one that will be held in Myanmar,” said Hontiveros.
