Trang chủ / Noindex / The Southeast Asian Games 2019 is off to a horrible start. Here’s a rundown of what happened.

The Southeast Asian Games 2019 is off to a horrible start. Here’s a rundown of what happened.

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Culture

The 30th Southeast Asian Games is almost here, but that doesn’t mean everyone is prepared for it.

Especially not the Philippines.

People from all across the world have been criticizing the nation’s lack of preparations for the SEA games and it seems the comments won’t be letting up anytime soon.

The problems with branding.

When the Philippines was announced as the host for the SEA Games 2019, Filipinos everywhere cheered for their nation. After all, this’ll be the nation’s fourth time hosting the prestigious sports event.

But their cheers quickly died down as more about the event began to unveil. Starting with the logo introduced.

The logo was made with the circles representing each country participating in the games in the shape of the Philippines.

However, people were quick to criticize its design.

Apart from the logo and slogan “We Win As One”, there were also criticisms about the mascot dubbed “Pami,” short for the Filipino word “pamilya” which means family.


Pami, a smiling mascot made of multiple round balls. IMAGE: Xgames

Things only continued to go further downhill when people found out that the cauldron that will be used in the SEA Games’ touch lighting ceremony was given a budget of US$985,064 (PHP50 million) to be made.

That’s all being paid by taxpayers by the way.


The cauldron that will be used during the 30th SEA Games’ torch-lighting ceremony. IMAGE: Interaksyon

A cost that could have been allocated to local athletes who have been struggling without proper financial support as one Twitter user posted.

“No budget! No budget! It can’t be approved.” Athletes always hear this when requesting funds for training and exposure abroad. But the government has a budget for 50M pots. #supportourathletes,” they wrote.

And it’s only getting worse.

Months passed by and the buildings meant to host the SEA games are still under construction.

Yes. At this very moment. While you’re reading this. The buildings are still not entirely finished.

Some people have even compared to conditions of some buildings to those in the mobile game Call of Duty.

And amazingly enough, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Athletes, both local and international, have posted on social media about the lack of accommodations provided.

It’s one thing to be taken to the wrong hotel, it’s another to have to sleep on the floor and have your practice fields be located hours away from where you’re staying, all as a professional athlete.

The problems don’t stop at accommodation and transport. Even the food provided for the athletes are failing to be deemed decent.

In a story published by The Straits Times, Singapore’s football team were not provided “sufficient halal food and had very limited food options” while some officials “had to starve.”

Even Philippines’ women’s football team was not exempt from the poor treatment only fed rice, egg, and kikiam (a type of snack) as breakfast.

Needless to say, Filipinos are embarrassed about the situation.

Some are even offering to host athletes and provide food and accommodations.

Others are comparing the situation to the epic disaster that was Fyre Fest back in 2017.

What officials are saying.

Well, they’re apologizing for the “inconvenience caused” to the athletes, according to a statement released by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organising Committee (PHISGOC).

“While PHISGOC strives to ensure proper coordination of the arrival details, airport welcome and transportation provisions of all international teams to their respective assigned hotels, we acknowledge our shortcomings in this particular incident and vow to do better.”

And that apology is enough for Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo, apparently.

Despite being strict with mistakes, Malacañang will not be seeking accountability from the organizers as “the snags were not that serious anyway,” he said.

It remains to be seen how the total budget of US$117,930,540 (PHP 6 billion) has been used throughout the event.

The SEA Games 2019 will take place from November 30th to December 11th.

Cover image sourced from Interaksyon and Twitter user @zhubbyzheekz.

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