STILL IN PH | RP's SEA Games 2019 hosting to push through

The Clark Green City in Capas, which is currently being developed, could be the main site of the 2019 SEA Games.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippines will host the next SEA Games after all.

SEAG Organizing Committee chairman Alan Cayetano announced on Thursday that the country's hosting of the biennial meet will push as scheduled in 2019 after weeks of speculations on which nation will absorb the hosting initially meant for Brunei.

Due to lack of facilities, Brunei opted to let go of the hosting rights, and the PSC made its intent of taking over.

However, due to the ongoing battle between the military and the rebel groups in Marawi, the PSC backed out of the hosting bid.

[Related Story: PHI backs out of 2019 SEA Games hosting]

The POC, on the other hand, insisted that the SEA Games hosting should still push through even without the help of PSC, the government's official sports arm.

PSC's stand eventually loosened up when Chairman Butch Ramirez said that if President Rodrigo Duterte gives a nod, it will push through with the hosting.

Apparently, Duterte indeed gave the green light to go with the hosting when Cayetano, the current foreign affairs secretary, made the huge announcement alongside Ramirez and POC president Peping Cojuangco.

"Answered prayers po na matuloy ang ating hosting. At glory to God na ang ating athletes will have a chance not only to show their sports, their skills, their talents, but also the new Philippines which we expect in the next two years," said Cayetano.

Meanwhile, Capas now looms to be the new main host city of the 2019 SEA Games as Cayetano bared that the BCDA is now working with the heads of the Clark Green City project for preparing the incoming business district for the said sports meet. He also revealed that some events might take place as well in Olongapo.

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