Minus govt support is ‘impossible'

FORMER sports commissioner Monico Puentevella said without government support, hosting the Southeast Asian Games will just be a dream.

For Puentevella, who was once chairman of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), it's almost impossible to host a huge event without the government's backing.

“POC without government support would only be dreaming of hosting the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games. I've never heard of this crisis in other countries before. They always go hand in hand,” he said.

POC President Jose Cojuangco reportedly announced the pushing through of the Philippines hosting the 30th SEA Games in 2019 even without government support.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez said the country will not host the biennial event for security reasons and because the funds will be used for the restoration and rehabilitation of Marawi City much devastated due to the ongoing war between the government and the Maute extremist group.

“Let's all leave it to the wisdom of President Rodrigo Duterte. He knows best. I'll go with whatever he decides,” Ramirez added.

Moreover, Puentevella said that in 2005, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had also wanted to cancel the games.

“Without our intervention, then President Arroyo would have dropped the hosting. That's on record. And thank God, Bacolod City played an important role in that SEA Games. And who knows? Maybe Bacolod will never see those games in their lifetime ever again,” he said, adding that the Philippines then “won the overall title for the first time in history.” HGD/ Sunnex