PHILIPPINES : To host 2019 SEA Games- After Brunei and Vietnam decline, Philippines agreed to host in 2019.
Since the Southeast Asian Games began in 1959, it has been held in 15 different cities across all Southeast Asian countries.
SEA Games is biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia.
After original host Brunei refused during the recent SEA Games Federation Council Meeting, Philippines accepts to host the Southeast Games in 2019.
The two countries, Brunei and Vietnam declined to host the 2019 SEA Games due to some reasons.
It was Singapore who hosted the most recent 2015 SEA Games, then, Malaysia for 2017.
According to Romasanta, spokesman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, federation must still issue a formal invitation to the Philippines which the country must accept but in principle, the Philippines is assured of being the venue.
The cash-strapped country is not likely to build new facilities but will use existing arenas, stadiums and hotels for the games, Romasanta added.
The bulk of the events would be held in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, said Richie Garcia , Philippine Sports Commission chair, Thursday.
The sprawling for SEA Games 2019 Philippines, turned into a light industrial zone and tourist center will likely serve as the base of the Games.
“We have to get our hearts and minds together and have a real dedicated effort to target at least third in 2017 in Malaysia to really say that we are ready for 2019,” said POC president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco
The next SEA Game would be a good build-up for Team Philippines once the country hosts the SEA Games in 2019, he stressed.
Rumors said, Thailand is willing to take over the hosting chores if the Philippines also declines.