By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WITH THE country’s preparations for the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games encountering “challenges,” various sports stakeholders gathered on Wednesday at the Malacañan Palace to clear the air and call for unity to ensure the successful staging of the biennial regional meet.

Called by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the gathering for unity was attended by officials of the Philippine Sports Commission, led by its chairman William Ramirez, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing (PHISGOC) Foundation, Inc. and Philippine Olympic Committee as well as Senator Christopher Go, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Also present were national government and sports officials, athletes and coaches.

“We are all here today, consciously or otherwise, as we choose a side over our own convictions, over things that divide us, over things that hurt us. We choose to unite and put country and flag topmost of our priorities, humility against pride, unity against division and compassion against hatred,” said Mr. Ramirez in his opening speech held at the gathering at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang, as he set the backdrop for the event.

“Time and again, I have implored stakeholders to unite. Let us come together for our country and for the sake of our athletes. Let us march together in spite of our differences. As chief of the government’s sporting arm I am heavily invested in ensuring that whatever situation and political climate in sport, our athletes are shielded and given the support they need to achieve their goals of victory although victory has many faces,” he added.

The country’s SEA Games preparations have been taken to task by some stakeholders and people over various issues, including the legality of PHISGOC as an organizing committee, alleged questionable deals it entered into for uniforms and training gears, and the hosting’s budget.

PHISGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano, newly minted speaker of the House of Representative, took time to address the issues thrown at the organizing committee at the gathering even as he bowed to have a successful staging of the SEA Games lest they be made accountable by the Filipino people in the event of failure.

Mr. Medialdea, for his part, assured that the Duterte government is fully supportive of the SEA Games hosting and enjoined everybody, including its critics, to rally behind efforts to make the preparations and the event itself a success.

“This event (SEA Games) is not only a testament to the Philippines’ competence in hosting an international sporting event but a culmination of our unity as Filipinos for the benefit of Philippine sports and athletes,” the Executive Secretary said.

“I echo the call for unity to work as one well-oiled machinery and provide a SEA Games every Filipino should be proud of. This call is embodied in Memorandum Circular no. 56 directing all government agencies and local government units to play an active role in the organization and preparation of the SEA Games,” he added as he reiterated the commitment of the Duterte administration to the task at hand.

The 30th SEA Games happens from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in various venues in the country.

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