Bambol assurance: Drastic reduction of indigenous games in next SEA Games calendar


The delegation from the Philippines parades during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on May 5, 2023.

The delegation from the Philippines parades through the opening ceremony of the thirty second Southeast Asian Video games (SEA Video games) on the Morodok Techo Nationwide Stadium in Phnom Penh on Might 5, 2023. –CAMBODIA 2023 PHOTO

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—“Kun Khmer,” what?

The abundance of indigenous sports activities within the calendar of the thirty second Southeast Asian Video games right here might have sowed confusion amongst informal sports activities followers as to what sort of competitors they resemble. However it additionally allowed the host nation to reap golden advantages.

That’s not taking place from the 2025 version in Thailand onwards.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino stated the SEA Video games Federation lately accepted a measure that may restrict indigenous sports activities to only 4 beginning in Thailand whereas guaranteeing most publicity for Olympic occasions.

“This was one of many many proposals I’ve introduced up and was accepted. We set a minimal of 10 Olympic sports activities and 10 sports activities being performed in Asia whereas solely 4 regional video games could be calendared,’’ stated Tolentino.

Nations usually money in on these homegrown sports activities confined in Southeast Asia so far as jacking up the medal tally is worried, significantly the host nation.

“The accepted measure will standardize sports activities and occasions that can see motion within the SEA Video games, however the particular sports activities to be performed will nonetheless depend upon the discretion of the host nation,’’ stated Tolentino.

“It’s already a achieved deal within the (SEA Video games Federation) structure. We simply let the Cambodia internet hosting end and we are going to implement it within the subsequent SEA Video games, which Thailand will stage,’’ added the Tagaytay Metropolis mayor.

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

General, the POC, which oversees the efficiency of nationwide athletes throughout all sports activities, is happy with the output of Workforce Philippines within the ongoing biennial meet right here, which is scheduled to shut on Wednesday.

“It’s a really robust efficiency regardless of the restrictions of the host nation, our silver-medal finishes in a number of subjective sports activities and the dimensions of our delegation,’’ stated Tolentino.

Apart from impediment racing, the place Filipinos captured all 4 gold medals, Cambodia restricted the participation of different nations in all occasions, offering the host nation the leverage to win extra medals and stop a sweep of the mints by their rivals.

A complete of 840 Filipino athletes noticed motion in 38 of the 39 sports activities, operating fifth total with 58 gold, 87 silver and 115 bronze medals. The nation eclipsed its golden haul of 52 final 12 months in Hanoi, Vietnam, with one competitors day remaining.

“Now we have a number of silver medals that got here from subjective sports activities. Think about if the judges in these sports activities favored us within the gold-medal matches and there have been no limitations on the variety of occasions, then we may have completed both second or third,’’ stated Tolentino.

No main shakeup is anticipated on the remaining medal board with Vietnam the runaway total champion with 136 golds, 104 silvers and 114 bronzes.



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