There were no discussions about politics in the recently adjourned Southeast Asian Games Council meeting in Bangkok.
BANGKOK — There were apparently no discussions about the ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia when the Southeast Asian Games Council met at the Grand Four Wings hotel here on Monday morning.
Just a day before the biennial meet formally begins with the opening ceremonies, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said that talks were limited to issues regarding sport, and not geopolitical issues.
Host country Thailand was reported to have launched a strike against Cambodia over rising tensions on border issues, with conflicts arising starting as early as July this year.
“Hindi na pinag-usapan yun,” Tolentino told POC Media. “'Di na topic 'yun do'n, topic lang sports. One family, one sports.”
There were some issues to be resolved regarding SEA Games as the King will be present when the multi-sport event unfurls with the opening ceremonies at Rajamangala National Stadium.
Parade attendees get hit
Because of Maha Vajiralongkorn’s (Rama X) expected attendance in the event, some logistics issues have popped up for Team Philippines.
With increased security risk, the venue will enter lockdown earlier than expected. This has created some problems for Philippine athletes who will fly in later on Tuesday before joining the parade of athletes in the opening ceremonies.
“Yung ibang a-attend ng parade, darating pa ng 12… Kapag dumating ka ng 12, or whatever time, ilang oras bago ka makalabas ng airport,” Tolentino lamented.
“Malabo na 'yun. Lalo na 'yung darating ng hapon, malabo na rin 'yun, na kasama sa list ng 200. So, 'yung staff namin, tinapos namin kagabi kung paano magpapalit.”
Against his wishes of taking some of the spotlight away from the athletes, the POC will have to make do with some officials filling in some 60 spots for athletes who will be missing the ceremonies due to their late arrival.
“Humugot na kami sa mga officials… Dapat yung 200, atleta lang, purely atleta lang. 'Yung ipupuno namin don, officials na,” he said.
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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.