10th ASEAN Para Games cancelled
The ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) officially cancelled the 10th ASEAN Para Games that the country is supposedly hosting this year.
APSF president Osoth Bhavilai relayed this development to all member nations in a communication letter dated May 8.
Bhavilai said the announcement came after the Philippine Sports Commission led by chairman Butch Ramirez said in a press statement that they are channeling their funds of hosting the event toward the country’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
Philippine ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee chairman Mike Barredo forwarded a letter to the APSF along with a copy of National Budget Circular 580 dated April 22.
Bhavilai quoted Ramirez’s statement that “In light of the present health crisis and the directives of the national government (DBM-National Budget Circular 580 and IATF ECQ/ GCQ guidelines) to take certain actions to fortify our fight against COVID-19, the Board of Commissioners have decided, through Board Resolution #733-2020 to withdraw the financial support to the hosting of the 10th ASEAN Para Games.”
“We, APSF, would like to thank the Philippines for all efforts taken prior to the games for the preparation. We appreciate why such decision need to be made,” Bhavilai said.
Bhavilai said the APSF will hold a virtual Board of Governors meeting soon to facilitate necessary steps in moving forward with the development.
The 10th ASEAN Para Games has been postponed twice, first due to technical reasons, then second, due to the current global health crisis.
Prior to the cancellation, the Para Games was supposed to take place on Oct. 3 to 9.
Apart from the Para Games, the PSC also cancelled all scheduled local tournaments for the remainder of the year. These events include the Philippine National Games and the Philippine Youth Games-Batang Pinoy.