AT least three LGUs (local government units) are opening their doors to national athletes gearing up for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in November.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino identified the LGUs as the cities of Taguig, Tagaytay and Santa Rosa in Laguna.
“I called friends who are willing and who have the passion for sports,” Tolentino told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano said his LGU could accommodate athletes in volleyball and table tennis, while Tagaytay City Mayor Agnes Tolentino will host those from cycling and kickboxing.
Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas said the city could take in 50 athletes from any martial arts or combat sports like karate, judo or even wrestling.
Tolentino, a congressman from Cavite’s Eighth District and head of the cycling federation, said the LGUs have agreed to provide accommodation, food and training venue.
“Everything they need will be provided and the training starts on July 1 up to November. It’s up to the NSAs (national sports associations) to decide on the length of their stay,” Tolentino said.
Last week, SEA Games chef de mission Ramon Fernandez, also a board member of the Philippine Sports Commission, appealed to LGUs to provide training venues for SEA Games-bound athletes considering that major sports facilities like the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and PhilSports Complex in Pasig City are being used as Covid-19 quarantine facilities.
Tolentino also told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. that two more LGUs might join the cause.
“If we get them, then good,” said Tolentino, adding that there’s ample time for the Filipino athletes to train for the SEA Games scheduled from November 21 to December 2.
Athletes in fencing have been training in a protected environment in Ormoc City while those in archery are based in Dumaguete City.
Tolentino said athletes in athletics and aquatics would train in Clark, site of the 2019 SEA Games.
Tolentino also said the vaccination program for the athletes to the SEA Games as well as those vying in the Tokyo Olympics in July are in place.
“We have three sources of the vaccine—the national government, (business tycoon) Mr. Enrique Razon and the subsidy from the Olympic Council of Asia,” said Tolentino in the session powered by Smart and Upstream Media as official webcast partner. “Whichever comes first, we will take it.”
But he assured athletes, officials, coaches and media who will be part of Team Philippines that they will get the vaccine.
“The best vaccine is the available one,” he said.
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