The International Athletics Association Federation and the International Swimming Federation have certified the New Clark City Athletics Stadium and Aquatic Center in Capas Tarlac, as Class 1 facilities for the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asia Games on November 30 to December 11.
The certification of the said sports facilities was announced in a press conference attended by House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano and Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go, Bases Conversion Development Authority CEO and president Vince Dizon, Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioners Ramon Fernandez and Arnold Agustin.
"It was just a dream before. But because of the build, build, build program ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte, natupad po ang dating pangarap lamang," said Dizon.
The sports facilities, where athletics and aquatics in the SEA Games will be held, were constructed for 18 months.
Senator Go, on the other hand, said that with the construction of these world-class venues, the Philippines is now ready to produce more world-class talents who can follow the footsteps of world champions Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, Nesthy Petecio of boxing and Olympic qualifier EJ Obiena of athletics.
"Magiging masaya po ang ating Pangulo sa pagkakagawa ng nasabing sports facilities dito po sa Pampanga. Ngayon ay masisiguro na po natin na makakapag hubog po ang Pilipinas ng mga world-class athletes gaya nina Caloy Yulo, Nesthy Petecio at Ej Obiena now that we have an access to the world-class facilities dito sa ating bansa," said Go.
The Senator, along with the other guests, also witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine National High School for Sports that is expected to be completed by 2021.
The school will be opened to all the students, who aspire to develop their skills as athletes.
"It will be just like the regular high schools. But here, the students will undergo training to determine what sports will they fit in. It will eventually have an entrance examinations before the students can enroll,” Cayetano explained.
The 30th SEA Games hosting is supported by: Platinum sponsors – Ajinomoto, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, MG Cars, Philippine Airlines, Skyworth and CooCaa. Gold Sponsors – MasterCard, Milo, Pocari Sweat, NLEX, PInco and Rzaer. Preferred – Asics, SM Lifestyle Inc. and BMW. Prestige – Molten and Mikasa. Banking Partners – Chinabank and PNB. Media Partners – Bombo Radyo, Star FM and the Inquirer Group, CNN, United Neon and DOOH. Host Broadcaster – NEP. Official Broadcaster – Sports and Action, TV 5, Cignal, ESPN and PTV 4.