Vicente: SEA Games 2019 challenge

THE exemplary showing of the Philippine contingent in the just concluded 18th Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia wherein unexpected heroes rose to the occasion and held high the Philippine Flag.

Aside from weightlifting who is expected to haul a medal because of our Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, the likes of golf and street skateboarding were unexpected contributors, but have shown something that many hope would make us all realize the things we need to fix or improve in Philippine Sports.

With the astonishing Asian Games finish, the pressure or challenge for the upcoming 2019 SEA Games that the Philippines will be hosting just climbed up a notch although aiming for the over-all championship is attainable, the challenge is to make it convincing since the dilemma of being the host is always the issue of game manipulation.

From the words of an NSA president, “we are sportsmen, and no matter what and no matter what is at stake, the value and discipline of Olympism must always prevail as the host country for the upcoming SEA Games. We should show that we are capable of managing a prestigious event with finesse and credibility amongst other things. We must win our medals in the different sports fair and square. It is not polite for anyone or an NSA to assure or identify how many gold medals to win in the SEA Games, much more for Philippine sports authorities to ask from the NSAs to promise the same.

This will surely send a wrong and doubtful idea. We have read and heard of some people giving their gold medal haul for a host country that will only stir the idea and doubt that cheating could be a strategy and it could, for a man to speak of something definite in front of people would resort to anything just to fulfill his words and it is not polite to say such things.”

SEA Games 2019 could be a breakthrough for Philippine sports and the government as a whole with the country making noise about many things happening in our society now and the many controversies that is placing our country in the lime light.

One wrong move would stir another black eye to Philippine sports and Philippine Government so while we are all excited to welcome the elite athletes of Southeast Asia, we must also be watchful and careful not to make any mistakes that will destroy our credibility as a host and a champion.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph