Philippines to host 2030 Asian Games?

MANILA, Philippines — The president of the Asian Games Federation yesterday made a pitch for the Philippines as possible host of the quadrennial event in 2030.

“I’m really sure that the next step for the Philippines is hosting the Asian Games in 2030,” said Indonesia’s Erick Thohir.

The Indonesian businessman and sportsman is in the country for the SEA Games Federation meeting, leading up to the Philippines’ hosting of the SEA Games in November next year.

Thohir, also the president of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, said that in his two days here in the country he was quite certain the next SEA Games will be a hit.

“The Philippines will try to organize the biggest ever SEA Games,” said Thohir during a press conference.

“They’re building new cities and new venues. The SEA Games (hosting) is not just about sports. It’s also business. It creates jobs,” he said.

 “The Philippines can be the next host of the Asian Games,” said Thohir.

Indonesia will host the 2018 Asian Games in August, to be followed by China in 2022 and Japan in 2026. The Philippines, which has hosted the Asian Games only once (in 1954), may step into the picture.

“The Philippines can be one of the candidates,” said Thohir.

They felt like music to the ears of Ricky Vargas, the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

“If only Filipinos put their hearts and minds into it… we can do this again (hosting), even on a larger scale. If we learn from this experience, this will give us enough courage,” he said.

The 66-year-old POC president said 2030 is a little too far ahead, and pointed to the others at the head table to take a good look at the possibility.

“The younger guys here can probably host that,” he said, mentioning Patrick Gregorio, the POC secretary-general.