The 2019 Philippines SEA Games Are Still Considered Conducive

SEA Games 2019 (https://2019seagames.com)

JAKARTA - In the last few days, there has been a lot of information circulating about the Philippines' unpreparedness as the organizer of the 2019 SEA Games. Indonesia has also confirmed the news to a number of parties as well as making direct observations in the field.

According to the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Indonesia, Raja Sapta Oktohari who is in the Philippines as well as the telephone conversation between Sesmenpora Gatot S Dewa Broto and Mr. Cayetano as Chair of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Committee (PHISGOC), Thursday, November 28, afternoon, the atmosphere and level of service for the 2019 SEA Games are quite conducive, although there are several things that need to be addressed.

So far, Okto said in a written statement received by VOI, Friday, November 29, the Philippine Government and PHISGOC have guaranteed Indonesia in particular and all the 2019 SEA Games contingents that PHISGOC has done its best to provide the best possible service.

There was a news issue about the existence of a number of Indonesian athletes who ate pork. This has been denied, not only by a number of Indonesian athletes but also by PHISGOC personnel. As explained by the Chairman of PHISGOC during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Manila last October 8, PHISGOC guarantees the proportionate availability of halal menus.

PHISGOC is fully aware that the contingent of Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia are predominantly Muslim, and that does not include some athletes from Thailand and even the Philippines themselves who are also Muslim.

However, Indonesian Chef de Mission (CdM) Harry Warganegara emphasized that the issue of halal menu remains a concern and he will remind athletes and Indonesian officials to remain careful without having to dramatize the problem. This is done so that any problems that arise can be immediately resolved by PHISGOC.

Regarding a number of problems in the holding of the 2019 SEA Games, the Indonesian government and the Indonesian NOC believe PHISGOC can solve them immediately because the Philippine Government and PHISGOC certainly do not want to be embarrassed in the eyes of their guests.