The Philippine Sports Commission officially announced on Friday, through a formal letter, the country’s withdrawal in hosting the 2019 30th Sea Games due to the current atrocities in Marawi City.
“Due to the current situation in Mindanao, the problem of terrorism and atrocities, we regret to inform you (POC) that we will no longer push through with the hosting of the biennial meet,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said on his letter.
Ramirez, morever, said that there’s no need to push the hosting of the said biennial event, instead the government must focus first on the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the Mindanao, especially the Marawi City.
However, Ramirez assured that they will still support the National Athletes on its quest for medals and honors in the upcoming 29th Sea Games this August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and also in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
On the other hand, if the conflict-stricken Marawi City comes back to its peaceful situation after the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Ramirez stated that they are still willing to host the next international sporting events. | Tretch Melarpes – PTV
