Cebu bid as SEAG site hinges on four NSAs

Whether or not Cebu City will be named as one of the satellite venues for the 2005 Philippine SEA Games will be known in the next few days.

Representatives of four national sports associations, in fact, will be in Cebu City tomorrow to conduct an ocular inspection on the venues being offered by Queen City of the South.

Karatedo’s Ed Ponce, sepak takraw’s Mario Tanchanco, pencak silat’s Jamalul Kiram III and judo’s Brillo Reynes will meet with Jonathan Guardo, chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, regarding the matter.

As required by Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc), a province must get the nod of at least four NSAs to be named a satellite or regional venue for the 23rd staging of the biennial meet.

As it is, Cebu City has gained the approval of dance sports which will be held at the world-class Waterfront Hotel. This means that Cebu City needs three more NSAs to join Bacolod City as a satellite venue.

Aside from karatedo, sepak takraw, pencak silat and judo, Cebu City is also eyeing Muay (a traditional Thai martial arts form), chess and even basketball.

Philsoc has named either the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City or Ultra in Pasig as possible venues for basketball. The Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), however, had wanted to hold the games in Naga City but it is also open to Cebu City.

Cebu City also batted for the holding of the mountain bike competitions in one of its tough and demanding courses but the local cycling association turned it down, adding that mountain bike will be held in Metro Manila together with the other cycling events.

"We’re confident that we will get it," said Guardo yesterday as Cebu City gave its bid an extra push.

Bacolod will host boxing, football, weightlifting, water polo and volleyball.

Guardo said Cebu City has started planning for the SEA Games hosting as early as 2001 right after the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

"Malaysia had a nice main stadium but as far as its satellite venue (Johore Baru) is concerned, I think Cebu City has better sports venues to offer," said the Cebuano sportsman.

Aside from its stable peace and order situation, Guardo said Cebu City also stands as a practical venue considering that it has an international airport, excellent communication facilities, and a long line of hotels and restaurants for a tourism-friendly atmosphere.