Will President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown host the 2019 Southeast Asian Games?
Davao is now being eyed as a possible venue for the biennial multi-sport event involving 11 countries, The Philippine Star reports.
“I am positive for the hosting of the 2019 SEA Games. And as long as it’s comfortable for everybody, why not Davao?” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez.
Ramirez said that the University of Mindanao has facilities that may be suitable for the events. More possible venues will be added with the construction of the University of the Philippines Mindanao and the construction of a giant stadium initiated by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“We have three years to prepare. At first I thought of Manila, Cebu and Bacolod. But why not Davao? As long as the Executive Secretary finds it okay, then we’re okay,” he said.
Ramirez was the PSC chairman when the Philippines hosted the SEA Games in 2005. It was the year when the Philippines won the overall title for the first time in history.
“It will be good for Mindanao. But President Duterte will still have the final say,” Ramirez added
Last year, the Philippines has agreed to host the event after Brunei and Vietnam declined. The initial plan was hold the event in Manila, but if Davao is deemed fit to be the main hub, why not?
The 2017 SEA Games wil be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
