Myanmar's new capital set to host 2013 SEA Games
By Jon Christopher Obice
THE 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games slated on Dec. 11, 2013 will be hosted in Myanmar’s new capital, Naypyidaw.
Next year’s 11-nation sportsfest will compete in 32 sporting events, a decline from a total of 44 in the 2011 SEA Games.
The said decrease in quantity is due to the restriction of events that require uniforms which expose the skin like beach volleyball and dance sports, an acceptable gesture for Burmese women.
The biennial competition will include 21 Olympic sports, three demonstration disciplines, and one indigenous sport chosen by the host country.
The six-day athletic event will be held in three main cities namely Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Yangon, the former capital.
Meanwhile, the Philippines last won the SEA Games in 2005 when it was the host country back then.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Richie Garcia said a P100-million budget for the biennial competition will be allotted to improve the country’s miserable fifth and sixth place performances in 2007 and 2009 respectively.
“We’re prepared to spend that amount for this program,” Garcia said.
Garcia warned the Filipino athletes that their performance for next year will greatly determine their fate in the Philippine sports industry.
“If they don’t win in the next SEA Games, they will be removed from the list. And if they don’t get a medal in Myanmar, their allowance will be discontinued unless that sport is a priority,” Garcia added.
However, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) secretary general Steve Hontiveros expressed optimism for Filipino athletes despite the imminent threat of competitive neighboring countries.
“Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam will be right there. But if we really begin our preparation early, we can place third,” Hontiveros said.
THE 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games slated on Dec. 11, 2013 will be hosted in Myanmar’s new capital, Naypyidaw.
Next year’s 11-nation sportsfest will compete in 32 sporting events, a decline from a total of 44 in the 2011 SEA Games.
The said decrease in quantity is due to the restriction of events that require uniforms which expose the skin like beach volleyball and dance sports, an acceptable gesture for Burmese women.
The biennial competition will include 21 Olympic sports, three demonstration disciplines, and one indigenous sport chosen by the host country.
The six-day athletic event will be held in three main cities namely Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Yangon, the former capital.
Meanwhile, the Philippines last won the SEA Games in 2005 when it was the host country back then.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Richie Garcia said a P100-million budget for the biennial competition will be allotted to improve the country’s miserable fifth and sixth place performances in 2007 and 2009 respectively.
“We’re prepared to spend that amount for this program,” Garcia said.
Garcia warned the Filipino athletes that their performance for next year will greatly determine their fate in the Philippine sports industry.
“If they don’t win in the next SEA Games, they will be removed from the list. And if they don’t get a medal in Myanmar, their allowance will be discontinued unless that sport is a priority,” Garcia added.
However, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) secretary general Steve Hontiveros expressed optimism for Filipino athletes despite the imminent threat of competitive neighboring countries.
“Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam will be right there. But if we really begin our preparation early, we can place third,” Hontiveros said.