The “Cold” Atmosphere of the Southeast Asian Games

AFP/TED ALJIBE

Construction workers walk past the flags of ASEAN nations on 26 November 2019 near the Aquatic Centre at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac province, to the north of Manila, just days before the South East Asian (SEA) Games opens on 30 Nov.

MANILA, KOMPAS – The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 in the Philippines has not created sports fever among locals. Between Ninoy Aquino International Airport and downtown Manila, there are no billboards or decorations that make you aware that Southeast Asia’s largest sporting event is being held in the city. Many Manila residents say they are apathetic toward the event as they think the Phillipine government has failed to properly prepare for the biennial event.

“Here, we see the SEA Games as an ordinary thing. How can we see it as extraordinary when the government is preparing it half-heartedly. They’ve just been busy constructing arenas but they failed to prepare strong athletes,” ride-hailing taxi service driver Peter Galang Dela Rosa told Kompas on Thursday (28/11/2019), during a ride from Ninoy Aquino Airport to the hotel located just 300 meters from Manila’s Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

According to observations at the airport, from hopping off from the plan to the immigration counters, baggage claim areas and transportation waiting area, Kompas found no decorative banners promoting the SEA Games. There is only one SEA Games banner with the motto “We Win as One” on the baggage claim area’s conveyor belts. Other than that, it was mostly Christmas and New Year decorations.

We are focused on preparing for Christmas and the New Year.

Airport official Balisacan Edwardo said the lack of SEA Games decorations were due to the airport undergoing a renovation. “Maybe there are plenty of SEA Games decorations outside the airport, especially in the downtown area and near sports arenas. However, in truth, we are not too enthusiastic about the SEA Games. We are focused on preparing for Christmas and the New Year,” he said.

There is only one SEA Games 2019 help desk at the airport terminal’s exit gate. There are three volunteers there to serve athletes, officials and invitees in need of information.

ANTARA FOTO/SIGID KURNIAWAN

Workers carry mineral water at the 2019 SEA Games tennis venue, Rizal Memorial Sports complex, Manila, Philippines, Wednesday (27/11/2019).

In the area surrounding one of SEA Games 2019’s main sports arenas at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, there are no decorations, banners or billboards promoting the SEA Games.

“Just look. We are only hundreds of meters away from the SEA Games arena but there are no decorations or information about the SEA Games. The government is never serious in doing anything. They are corrupt. Corruption is a disease present in every part of life in this country,” Peter said.

Duterte angered

The 2019 SEA Games’ organizers face many obstacles. Phillipine President Rodrigo Duterte and senators have demanded a probe into the chaotic preparation. Late last week, a photograph circulated of Cambodian contingent members resting inside a hotel meeting room as their rooms were still being prepared. “We are victims of poor management,” Cambodian soccer team coach Felix Dalmas said, as quoted by the Manila Standard.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Decorations pertaining to the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines are available only at the baggage claim area at Ninoy Aquino Airport, Manila, Philippines, Thursday (28/11/2019). The holding of the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines seems to have no enthusiasm because of the lack of decoration or reminder boards about the event from Ninoy Aquino Airport, Manila, to the capital city.

The Myanmarese contingent complained about being cramped inside a small car. The Timorese contingent was taken to the wrong hotel, which disrupted their training schedule. The Thai contingent arrived at the right hotel only to find that there were not enough rooms. Consequently, one room must be shared by three people.

Duterte is angered by this chaos. “I talked with the President and he was displeased with what he was hearing. He asked them [the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee] to improve things and carry out their duties properly to avoid further shame to the country. He said that someone had to take responsibility,” Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said. (REUTERS/RAZ)