KULANG man sa ingay ang hosting ng 30th Southeast Asian Games, walang dapat ipagamba ang sambayanan.
Tiniyak ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) deputy secretary-general Karen Tanchanco-Caballero na tuloy at walang atrasan para sa hosting ng biennial meet sa Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 12.
“One thing we (POC) can assure all of you now is that the 30th Southeast Asian Games is still happening in the Philippines come Nov. 30,” pahayag ni Caballero sa kanyang pagbisita sa “Usapang Sports” ng Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) kahapon sa National Press Club sa Intramuros.
Pinabulaanan n i Caballero, pangulo rin ng Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association, ang mga isyu sa social media na hindi matutuloy ang hosting at isinusuko ng POC ang karapatan sa Thailand o Indonesia.
“That’s not true (giving up as host). In fact,POC president Vargas reiterated our commitment as host during our recent POC meeting last March 21,” sambit ni Caballero.
“Were still very much on board. We’re hopeful that other groups involved like the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) under Chairman Butch Ramirez , and PHISGOC (Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee), headed by Sen. Allan Cayetano are also on board.”
“Mas hopeful kami ngayon now that our budget will be released very soon para it’s all systems go na as far as preparation,” aniya.
“I understand that there are some concerns about the election fever that we need to take into comsideration. But I know Filipinos are very excited about it. And once everything is in play, with the private sector and sponsors coming in, it’s all systems go.”
Nilinaw din ni Caballero ang responsibilidad at pagkakaiba ng tungkulin ng POC at PHISGOC sa SEA Games hosting.
“PHISGOC has t h e marketing and broadscating t eam under them. Our concentration is sports side and game services,” pahayag ni Caballero, vice chairman sa Phisgoc ni POC Chairman at Cong. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
Sa usapin ng venues, iginiit ni Caballero na nasa 90 hanggang 95 porsiyento nang tapos ang mga ipinataying sports center at complex sa Clark at Subic.
“ I was told about 90-95 percent of our venues are ready. New Clark City is hosting two compulsory sports – athletics and aquatics. And basedon our discussions with the BCDA, construction is right ahead on schedule. We’re confident we will be able to deliver them in the next few weeks or months.,” aniya.
Kasama ni Caballero na dumalo sa lingguhang sports forum ng itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at napanood ng live sa Facebook via Glitter Livestream sina World Rugby Council member Ada Milby at Beach Volleyball Republic founder Bea Tan.
-Edwin Rollon