TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Philippines has said that it is ready to host the 2019 SEA Games, after Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam has declined to host the sporting event for South East Asian nations.
An official in Manila said on Sunday that the Philippimes have been appointed as the official host of the Games through SEA Games Federation meeting in Singapore in June. During the session, Brunei had declined to host the Games due to 'organisational issues', said a spokesperson for the Philippines Olympics Committee, Joey Romasanta.
Vietnam, who is scheduled to host the Games in 2021, also declined to host the Games in 2019.
Romasanta continued that although the Federation has yet to issue an invitiation or formally appointed the Philippines, the country is ready to host the Games. "We are prepared to host the Games, although there are some formality that needs to be taken care of beforehand," he said.
Romasanta said that due to the Philippines current economic predicament, it will not build any new facilities to host the games - but will maximise the use of existing facilities.
Meanwhile, it is known that the 2017 Games will be held in Malaysia.
ANTARA | TASRIEF TARMIZI