CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has already sourced out the needed budget for the country’s participation in the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), but still faces a major dilemma as some sports associations have not yet submitted their final lineup of athletes for the 10-day sports conclave set from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane, Laos.
“We are facing problems because some of the National Sports Associations (NSAs) have not submitted to us their final lineup for the Laos SEA Games this December until now,” said PSC Commissioner and Executive Director Fr. Vicente “Vic” L. Uy, SVD.
“Since we already allocated a budget for the Philippine delegation that will compete in the SEA Games, we have been asking the lineup early this year but until now they haven’t submitted yet,” added Uy.
Uy, on the other hand, lamented that due to the continuous conflict among the different National Sports Association (NSAs) and some sports organizations, the athletes are the ones who suffer.
“Our athletes were greatly affected by these conflicts because even if they practice very hard, they are not yet sure if they will be included in the lineup,” said Uy.
Uy though commended the athletes of some sports associations like cycling who kept on training despite the squabble among their leaders.
“Even if the conflict in their association was not yet resolved, our cyclists kept on training and they don’t let themselves be affected by it,” Uy said. “Its quiet obvious that the leadership among the different NSAs has to be given attention because if these will not be straightened, then this will remain to be the top problem.”
Meanwhile, only 28 events will be contested because of the limited sports facilities in Vientiane. During the previous edition of the biennial athletic meet in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, 43 sporting disciplines were being featured.
Among the Olympic sports that will be scrapped from the Laos SEAG calendar are baseball, canoeing, sailing, gymnastics, hockey, rowing, fencing, triathlon, equestrian, softball and basketball. - THE FREEMAN