Ramirez: 8 NSAs yet to submit accreditations for SEA Games

OF the 56 sports included in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, only 48 national sports associations (NSA) had beat the August 1 deadline set by the chef de mission to submit the athletes’ accreditations.

Chef de mission Butch Ramirez, who is also chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), told the NSAs to submit the athletes credentials as well as the final list of their team on August 1. Ramirez said 48 NSAs had complied but eight — basketball, chess, football, kickball, polo, skateboarding, wakeboarding and e-sports — failed to beat the deadline.

Ramirez, however, said the eight NSAs can still submit their requirements until August 15, the last day for the measurement of the parade uniforms.As of April 22, the number of athletes the Philippines will field in the biennial meet is 1,245 (712 men and 533 women).

The 30th Southeast Asian Games will be held here in the Philippines from November 30 to December 11 in various venues in Manila, Subic, Pampanga, Laguna, Tagaytay and the games’ main hub at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Unity in POC
Ramirez, meanwhile, is aware of the leadership turmoil that currently hounds the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). And although the POC has already elected a new president, the problem is far from over.

“I don’t care if they (POC Board) hold an election everyday, basta kami dito sa PSC, we will do our job, as mandated, and prepare for the SEA Games,” Ramirez said.

The PSC chief, however, hopes the POC can get united soon because the dilemma and the ordeal is starting to affect the morale of the athletes.

“Although in general, the athletes are in high spirits, some of them are asking questions about the problem,” Ramirez said. “That is why we keep on meeting the athletes and assure to them that the government is behind them and we are ready to host the SEA Games.”

Overall championship
And because the country is hosting the games and the government is ready to spend money for the organization of the games and the training of athletes, expectations are high for the Philippines to perform well and perhaps win the overall championship this year.

The government has pledged to shell out P5 billion to help finance the 2019 SEA Games and President Rodrigo Duterte promised to give an additional P1 billion fund.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has donated a total of P842.5 million to the PSC for the rehabilitation of facilities such as the Philsports Arena, Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Philippines also hosted the SEA Games in 1981, 1991 and 2005, the first and only time the country has captured the overall title in this multi-sport regional meet.

Since 2005, the Philippines has dropped to sixth place in 2007, fifth in 2009, sixth in 2011, seventh in 2013 and sixth in 2015 and 2017.

Finishing at first place may be a very tall order what will all the distractions outside the playing field but it is “doable” according to Ramirez.

Accountability
And like a good father, Ramirez said he has no choice but lead his children in the right direction.

“The PSC has been very patient and very cooperative but there are times that we have to stand up and take a lead on this path,” Ramirez said.

“At the end of the day, ang accountabilty nasa PSC. Wala sa POC, wala sa Phisgoc. Nasa amin.”

Ramirez also promised that corruption will not prevail under his watch.

“Right now corruption with regards to the SEA Games is a perception,” he said. “And we will make sure it stays that way.”

Ramirez said a monitoring team composed of top officials from the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Office of the Executive Secretary, the office of Sen. Bong Go and PSC has been created to oversee the expected smooth preparations of the 11-nation Games.

“We will assert the position of the government… na ito ang daan natin. Pag itong bagay na ito hindi tama, we will insist na hindi puwede ito,” he said.

“Kung mayroon mang away o disagreement, kasama na yan sa trabaho namin.”