Ricky Vargas: Time running out

SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines — The clock is ticking fast as the country prepares for its hosting of the 30th SEA Games in November this year.

Unless things get done faster, things can get out of hand.

“Nakakatakot (It’s scary),” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas yesterday.

“We don’t have the training facilities. Ginagawa pa lang yung iba (They’re just being built). And if we have to go through this process of waiting, the athletes would have lost time to train,” he said.

Speaking to a couple of reporters yesterday, Vargas said the sight of unfinished training facilities is quite a “disruption.”

“Looking for other facilities for our athletes to train is not easy. I think we can lose anywhere between one or two months of training for our athletes,” he added.

The Philippines is coming off a dismal sixth-place finish in the last SEA Games, and Vargas can only hope for a better finish this time – at least a podium finish in the overall race.

“But we really need to move fast. Ang bilis (Time flies),” Vargas said.

It’s not just the training of the athletes that needs a little push but the other key elements of hosting the SEA Games for the fourth time since 1981, 1991 and 2005.

“The Philippine Sports Commission can help us be more agile. But the PSC has committed to do all its best to train our athletes. And that’s the good side to all these,” said Vargas.

Vargas said the marketing of this year’s SEA Games will have to be fast-tracked as well.

“It’s time for us to market the SEA Games and bring in the sponsors. Who are our major sponsors? With marketing, madami pang gagawin (A lot of things have to be done). And part of the marketing campaign is (help from) the private sector. Delayed na din,” he added.

The budget for the SEA Games hosting is also keeping the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) from performing its task.

Vargas said Malacañang signing Memorandum Order No. 56, which calls on all government agencies, government-owned and government-controlled corporations and the local government units (LGUs) to extend full support to the SEA Games, is vital.

“I’m happy it (order) came out. It’s better late than never. It’s very encouraging because it asks all government agencies to cooperate and help. It encourages even the private sector to help. I just wish they come out and help. Wala na tayong oras eh (We’re running out of time),” said Vargas.