SEAG buildup to start in earnest

Athens (Via Globe Telecom) — Preparations for the Manila Southeast Asian Games will proceed in earnest with former Tourism secretary Roberto Pagdanganan being retained as chairman of the Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee (Philsoc).

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Celso Dayrit Friday lauded the decision of the President to retain Pagdanganan as Philsoc chair after he was replaced as tourism secretary.

"He will now take charge of the overall preparations for the SEA Games and take responsibility on behalf of the President and the government," said Dayrit.

The SEA Games returns to Manila for the third time from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, 2005 with 11 nations in the fold.

The former Bulacan governor who was later appointed as Philippine International Trade Corporation (PITC) chair, attended the opening ceremonies of the Athens Olympics, and toured some of the venues to get a first hand experience on the organization and management of the games.

The POC earlier took the initiative in laying the groundwork for the preparations for the SEA Games until Pagdanganan was named as Philsoc chair who will be responsible for the budget requirement and organizations of the meet.

A budget of P1 billion was initially submitted to the government but Dayrit said they will review it and "try to economize."

At the same time, he said that local organizers have enough time to renovate existing facilities like the Rizal Memorial Complex and the Philsports and refurbish other venues like the Cuneta Astrodome and the Makati Coliseum.

The Rizal complex will be the venue for the athletics competition while Luneta is seriously being considered for the opening ceremonies.

The country has hosted the Games in 1981 and 1991 when it lost the overall championship by a single gold. In fact, one of the primary objectives of the Manila SEAG is not only to stage a successful regional meet but to wrest the overall crown from Vietnam.

All 16 Filipino athletes who made it to the Athens Games are being given the needed experience and exposure for their possible inclusion to the national contingent and spearhead the country’s bid in their respective disciplines. — Lito A. Tacujan