Vietnam asks for more time on SEA Games postponement decision

Performers from Vietnam participate in the closing ceremony of the SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) at the athletics stadium in Clark, Capas, Tarlac province, north of Manila on December 11, 2019. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Vietnam asked the Southeast Asian Games Federation for some time as it decides the fate of the regional multi-sport event in Hanoi.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the Vietnamese organizers sought for a 14-day window to make their final decision on the 2021 SEA Games.

“They [Vietnamese] are hesitant to make a decision,” said Tolentino after the one-hour virtual meeting among members of the SEA Games Federation.

The Hanoi SEA Games were originally scheduled for November 21 to December 2 but sporting authorities in Vietnam told the SEA Games Federation that they plan to move the event to July 2022.

Eight member countries of the SEA Games Federation tried to persuade the host to push through with the original schedule while Myanmar sided with Vietnam because of the political crisis within its borders while Laos abstained.

Vietnam, which flattened the curve as early as August 2020, is now experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases with infections steadily increasing since May and hitting a peak of 470 on June 19.

Tolentino said that the POC will respect Vietnam’s decision on the matter.

“We will respect the decision of Vietnam because we cannot do anything if they say the games are postponed,” said Tolentino.