THE Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games has been officially postponed, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Thursday.
“The SEA Games Federation [unitedly] decided not to hold the SEA Games this year because of the spike of Covid-19 situation in the region,” Tolentino told a virtual news conference where he also announced the appointment of judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and pole vaulter EJ Obiena as the country’s flagbearers in the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony on July 23.
“For now, there’s no decision yet on the new date of the Games next year,” added Tolentino, also the PhilCycling president.
The SEA Games were scheduled for November 21 to December 2 with the capital Hanoi the main hub.
The Philippines is the reigning SEA Games champion for having dominated the biennial competitions on home ground with 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals for a total of 387 medals.
“With the postponement, we thus become the longest reigning overall champion,” Tolentino said, laughing. “But kidding aside, we can train our athletes for a longer period of time.”
This marks the first time in memory that the SEA Games were postponed, no thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vietnam already announced to the SEA Games Federation last month but eight of the 11 member countries recommended that the Games be staged as scheduled. The hosts asked for more time to ponder twice and on Thursday, finally made a decision which was unanimously accepted by the members.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, the country’s chef de mission to the SEA Games, said that P50 million of the P200 million budget allotted for the Hanoi campaign has already been released by the Department of Budget and Management for the bubble training of athletes, equipment and uniforms.
The Philippines intended to compete in 39 of the 40 sports on the Hanoi program.
Obiena and Watanabe, meanwhile, were chosen to bear the country’s colors in the Olympics opening ceremony on July 23 at the National Stadium because of their availability.
“Our 19 qualified athletes are deserving flag bearers,” Tolentino said. “We based our selection on their flight schedule and availability—who’s already in Tokyo.”
Obiena will arrive in Tokyo on July 23, while his competition starts on July 31. Watanabe, on the other hand, is based in Japan and her competition in judo’s women’s -63 kgs begins on July 27.
World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo begged off because his competition starts on July 24.
President Dave Carter, boxing Coach Nolito Velasco, skateboarding coach Daniel Velasco, Philippine Swimming Inc. President Lani Velasco and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines head Cynthia Carrion-Norton will join the march of athletes.
Joining Tolentino in making the announcement were Araneta, POC Secretary-General Atty. Edwin Gastanes and his deputy Karen Caballero.