Philippines to host 2019 Games but not in Manila

KUALA LUMPUR:

The Philippines will host the 2019 SEA Games – but it will not be in Manila.

Instead, the Philippines Olympic Council (POC) has identified three provinces – Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales – for the job.

“Manila is not the venue due to traffic congestion. We will hold it in Bulacan, where a new sports centre has been built, Pampanga and Zambales,” confirmed POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr after the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) council meeting yesterday.

“We will provide other details as we go along but for now, there is no change in the host country.”

SEAGF chairman Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar is glad that the issue of the 2019 SEA Games host has been resolved.

“The POC did not withdraw as host. Today, it has reaffirmed its pledge to continue as host.

“As such, that ends the question of the 2019 host,” he said after chairing the meeting.

He also confirmed that the Philippines will take over as chairman of the SEAGF after the KL Games.

Tunku Imran said the council also endorsed the recommendations of the sports and rules committee, the women and sports committee and certain decisions taken by the exco.

The council approved the formation of the arbitration panel and picked the members for the KL Games.

The chairman is Malaysia’s M. Rajasekaran and the members are Sharon Chong Tze Ying, Samrith Kaur (both Malaysians), Charlie Lu Ho (Philippines), Low Kok Keng (Singapore) and Col Kovit Jirachananonont (Thailand).

Malaysia’s Anand Ponnudurai is secretary of the panel.