INDONESIA and Thailand have come forward to bid for the hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
But the Philippine Olympic Committee is not yet ready to tell the SEA Games Federation Council that the country has given up in its hosting rights.
Sports officials will discuss their next moves in a meeting of the POC General Assembly on Wednesday.
POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros said this could be the first time that the SEA Games will end without a turnover ceremony.
He said there is still a chance for the Philippines to stay on as host.
“Meron pang chance, basta may approval ni POC president (Jose Cojuangco). Ang move ng POC, i-convene the GA and appeal to the President (Rodrigo Duterte), show the image of the Philippines that there is no problem. But this is only my personal suggestion,” said Hontiveros.
Sports officials believe that they can push through with the hosting if they hold it in other cities and not in Davao City.
The government’s decision to beg off from hosting the 2019 edition of the games stems from its plan to re-channel government resources in favor of the rehabilitation efforts for the beleaguered city of Marawi.
In a letter by Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez last Friday to Cojuangco, the government announced that it shall no longer proceed with the country’s hosting of the SEA Games.
In 2015, the Philippines expressed its interest to host the games after its original host, Brunei declined, citing the country’s lack of sporting facilities, accommodation and preparation of their athletes.
Last year, Cojuangco made a suggestion that the games be hosted by Davao City.
The main host city was moved from Manila to Davao City after a proposal made by Cojuangco in 2016 and later on approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.