The transfer of events to Bangkok is favorable to the Philippine delegation.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino said this as organizers of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand are now searching for new venues for the 10 sports events that have been cancelled in the province of Songkhla, which is currently experiencing severe, life-threatening flooding, specifically in the Hat Yai area.
This has prompted local authorities to declare a state of emergency in the province.
“It’s favorable. We will not have to travel to go watch the games, and also for the physical therapists and the medical teams. They will just be in one place,” said Tolentino, following a discussion with officials of the Thailand Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, headed by Chaiyapak Siriwat.
“All events might be transferred to Bangkok. So, it’s better for us,” said Tolentino, adding the POC will discuss the changes that will happen during a General Assembly meeting on Tuesday.
Organizers are addressing concerns over the state of the competition venues and the risk of potential outbreaks.
The 10 sports events affected are boxing, men’s football, pencak silat, chess, judo, karate, kabbadi, petanque, wrestling and wushu.
But there might be other events that could be affected as well.
Originally, the 2025 SEA Games was supposed utilize existing venues across the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Chonburi province, and Songkhla province.
But Thailand is now preparing contingency plans and assessing conditions in Songkhla on a daily basis.
If necessary, more events could be held in Chonburi.
Organizers in Thailand are also discussing plans to compensate other nations for flight and accommodation costs that have already been booked in Songkhla.
