THE possibility of holding the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Davao City was lauded by the sporting community.
Be-medaled SEA Games veteran Lee Vann Corteza of Davao City, who won the World Cup of Pool championship with Dennis Orcollo in 2013, said he is no longer part of the national team but he is willing to be reinstated when the need arises.
"Kung kailangang maglaro para sa Davao at bayan maglalaro parin ako. Lalo na ngayon na presidente na si Duterte," said Corteza who last competed in the SEA Games during the country's hosting in 2015.
Fellow Dabawenyo and pool player Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle said he is going to retire next year but he is also willing to join tryouts for the national team.
World Aiba Women's Boxing silver medalist Nesthy Alcayde Petecio, for her part, said it's been her dream for her family to watch her compete.
"I'm a proud Dabawenya. Lami kaayo na sa feeling para mas mailado pa mga atleta sa Davao. Dagdag motivation pud. Tapos dream pud nako nga maipakita nako sa tanang tao akong talento sa boxing tapos sa akong sariling lugar pa. Super excited na kaayo ko, can't wait po (It would be a good feeling to showcase Davao talents and will add more motivation. It's been a dream to showcase my boxing talent in my own hometown. I'm very excited)," Petecio, who hails in Davao del Sur but started her amateur career in Davao City, said.
Manila-based running coach Roel Ano, who trains celebrities Iza Calzado and Denise Laurel, said in the vernacular, "I'm proud when that happens, 100 percent I believe we can host it. We should push for it."
Two-time women's world pool champion Rubilen Amit said she will play anywhere but, adding, "If Davao, okay with me! Sarap ng food!"
Former national judo athlete Paolo Tancontian said the city's hosting of the biennial games will give a positive impact.
"Dream ko noon makapaglaro sa hometown ko but this time baka hindi na ako kundi ang mga anak ko ang makaka-fulfill ng dream nayan," Tancontian said,
Ramirez on Monday told media that the country is ready to guarantee the hosting with Davao City as the main venue of the events.
He requested a letter of guarantee from the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as a form of assurance to the SEAG Federation that the country would not backtrack on its commitment.
He, along with Philippine Olympic Committee officials led by POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., first vice president Joey Romasanta and secretary-general Steve Hontiveros will soon leave for Kuala Lumpur to hand over the letter to the SEAG Federation.
Ramirez is optimistic that the country can do it having hosted it in 2005 when Philippines emerged over-all champion.
Possible venues will be the 20-hectare sports complex at the University of the Philippines (UP) Mintal and the 10-hectare University of Mindanao sports complex that are expected to be completed before 2019. The Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City may also host several events in the 11-nation games.