Philippines’ Olympic Panel Insists on Hosting 2019 SEA Games, Will Appeal to Duterte

Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte.

Manila, MINA – Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) remains confident that the 2019 Southeast Asian Games will be played in the country despite Duterte government’s recent announcement to cancel it, nationmultimedia.com reported on Sunday.

Indonesia or Thailand could take over the 2019 hosting followed by Vietnam in 2021, Cambodia in 2023 and Indonesia or Thailand again by 2025.

The local Olympic body’s general assembly unanimously approved last week a board resolution to appeal the government position not to push through with the Manila hosting because of the conflict in Marawi City.

National sports associations (NSAs) have agreed to seek an audience with President Duterte next week, hoping that Malacanang will have a change of heart and proceed with the Games.

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POC President Jose Couangco said they would submit a plan of action with financial requirements to be sourced from the private sector or the governmen dan show that the expenses won’t be skyrocket to P7 billion as earlier reported. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)