Team Philippines will be sending upwards of 1,600 delegates to the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, including over 1,100 athletes.
A record number of delegates will be flying to Thailand for the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games with more than 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials set to represent the country in the biennial tournament.
With a whopping 50 sports to be contested in the Thailand SEA Games, the Philippines is putting its best foot forward by sending the most number of athletes to the regional tournament in the country’s participation.
For Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, this was motivated by the goal of getting athletes more exposure to hone their craft and test their skills against international competition.
“When you send a delegation, they learn. When you send a big delegation, they get the exposure, they get the confidence. 'Yun ang tinayaan natin. Let’s give them all the confidence and exposure,” Gregorio told the media during the official sendoff for the SEA Games 2025 athletes at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“[It’s so that] yung mindset nila, [gets] tougher, 'yung physical [skills] nila. Kumbaga, I’ve been there before, nakalaban ko na 'yan, alam ko na kung pano talunin 'yan. Ganon lang naman ang sports eh. So dapat lang ipalaban natin nang ipalaban we give them all the international exposure so that they become better athletes.”
The 50 sports being contested will have a total of 574 events where medals will be given out while three will be demonstration sports with air sports, flying disc, and Tug of War. MMA will also be played as a “Value-added” sport.
Exposure more than medals
Despite the fanfare, PSC and Gregorio weren’t too keen on making any promises or predictions when it comes to the results of Team Philippines in the biennial meet.
Rather than looking at end-goals immediately, Gregorio underscored the importance of investment.
Following the recent influx of high-level competitions for Filipinos such as the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup and the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championship, Gregorio is a believer in the process.
“We’re sending the biggest delegation of athletes… The biggest delegation in the history of the Philippines’ participation in the Southeast Asian Games. Uulitin ko po, bakit? Para mabigyan ng exposure ang ating atleta para magkaron ng mas maraming medalya.” he said.
“Pero kung ako ang tatanungin niyo, yan ang investment natin so they can compete better pagdating ng Asian Games, pagdating ng Olympics.” he continued.
The Philippines begins its bid at the 33rd SEA Games when the opening ceremonies unfurl on December 9.
Among medal rich sports for the Philippines are basketball, esports, boxing, weightlifting, jiu jitsu, and athletics.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.