Philippines Still Keen on Hosting 2019 SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- The Philippines is still interested in hosting the 30th edition of the SEA Games in 2019 despite the recent news reports claiming that the games will not be held in the country following the tense situation in Mindanao. Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Low Beng Choo said the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) had announced that they were still negotiating with their government to allow the Games to be held in 2019, after the country last played host in 2005. “The POC says they are still interested in hosting the SEA Games (2019) but they are appealing for time to discuss the matter with their government. “We need to understand because their government is now focusing on the tense situation in the city of Marawi (Mindanao) but they still have time. In fact, we have not received an official notice of withdrawal from them,” he told Bernama after appearing in Bernama News Channel’s 'The Nation' programme hosted by Zaini Yuhyi, here Wednesday. Meanwhile, Low said the bearer of Jalur Gemilang (national flag) and carrier of the final torch who will also light the Games cauldron at the opening of the 2017 SEA Games, were expected to be announced after the completion of the final centralised training camp for the national contingent at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel from Aug 4-10. “We have shortlisted the candidates but some other factors are also being considered before we can announce the name of the flag bearer and the torch carrier who will light the cauldron on the opening day of the SEA Games,” said Beng Choo. Competition for certain events for the 2017 SEA Games is scheduled to begin on Aug 14, while the opening ceremony was set on Aug 19 and the closing, on Aug 30. -- BERNAMA