Singapore backs PH’s SEAG stand

Making a strong pitch for intitutional changes in the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines has found a solid ally in Singapore.

Philippine chief of mission Jeff Tamayo yesterday said Singapore has proposed a special gathering among representatives of the Games’ 11 member countries that would tackle the disputed practice of inserting indigenous sports to favor the host country.

Myanmar, this year’s Games host, included 60 events from sports unknown to Filipino athletes in hopes of landing more medals.

Tamayo said the Singapore Olympic Committee, through its secretary general Chris Chan, supported the Philippines’ opposition to the continuation of the practice and called the attention of the SEA Games Federation to tackle the issue prior to Singapore’s hosting in 2015.

“They (Singapore sports officials) are going through the same experience that we’re going through and this is not healthy for the (SEA Games) organization,” said Tamayo, the second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and soft tennis chief.