Cebu to build modern venues for 2005 SEAG

Cebu is capable of providing high-quality venues for some events when the Philippines plays host to the Southeast Asian Games in 2005.

This was the assessment of Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Jonathan Guardo who observed the conduct of the biennial meet and visited the venues for weightlifting, taekwondo, pencak silat and archery in Johore Bahru, some 300 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur.

Organizers of the recently concluded Kuala Lumpur SEA Games have spread out the games in three major areas – Kuala Lumpur, Johore Bahru and Penang.

The set-up is so successful that top Philippine sports officials are contemplating on studying the strategy with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Tuason and Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit both agreeing that co-hosting of local cities will benefit the whole country.

Guardo, after meeting with Tuason and Dayrit, said he will present Cebu City’s formal bid after getting the go-signal from the Cebu City Council and Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The POC said it will set the parameters so that interested cities can determine their priorities in bidding to co-host SEA Games events.

Saying he had been receiving expression of support both from the government and private sectors since toying with the idea of Cebu being host to the most prestigious event in this part of the region, Guardo cited venues in Cebu where some of the events can be held.

He said bowling can be staged at the Gaisano Bowlingplex, weightlifting at the Cebu Grand Convention, mountainbike in Danao, boxing at Waterfront, golf at the Cebu Country Club or Alta Vista, Billiards at Cebu Plaza, sailing in Mactan and other sites which have history of holding international events.

"The Cebu City government is supportive because not only will it give the Cebuanos the chance to witness an international event of this magnitude but more particularly, the contribution we can give to the island in particular and the country in general is our utmost concern," Guardo said.

"The event will definitely help in our effort to picture a beautiful Philippines to attract more tourists and investors," he added.