Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28)— Following the reported mishaps in the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, two Filipino athletes said that shortcomings are normal in any hosting of sporting events.
“I’ve been to several Southeast Asian Games, siyempre iba-iba ‘yun depending on the host. I don’t expect a perfect ‘everything’, like the venues and everything, parang medyo given na ‘yun,” shared SEA Games badminton medalist Kennie Asuncion during On The Record.
[Translation: I’ve been to several Southeast Asian Games, of course there were different venues depending on the host. I don’t expect that everything would be perfect, like the venues and everything, it’s kind of given already.]
Meanwhile, fencing medalist Wilfredo Vizcayano also shared the same sentiment.
“[Sa] transportation, usually traffic. Sa food minsan kinakapos. Palaging merong ganyan,” he said.
[Translation: When it comes to transportation, it’s the traffic usually. Sometimes food is not enough. So it’s always been the situation.]
The hosting of SEA Games has been marred by controversies including the ₱50-million cauldron, lackluster logo, reports of poor accommodation and food serving, issues with media accreditation, and unfinished construction of some facilities.
Both Asuncion and Vizcayano suggested that athletes should focus on their trainings instead of the issues surrounding the biennial sporting event.
“Pero as a player, focus on the games, you focus on how to prepare yourself, everything else, the coaches, the officials will take care of it,” said Asuncion.
For his part, Vizcayano said, “’Di namin ineexpect na magkakaroon ng ganitong problema, ang focus namin nasa laro lang. So yung mg ganun, di na lang namin pinapansin kung magkaroon man ng problem.”
Asuncion also noted that coaches and officials should help each other when there are shortcomings.
“I think it’s very important na kapag hindi natin ma-control yung venue, transportation ,sana we have good coaches that will take care of their players,” she said.
[Translation: I think it’s very important that when there are problems with the venue and transportation, I hope there are good coaches who can take care of the players.]
“Kung feeling nila kulang ang food, hindi sapat yung nutrition sana maghanap siya ng solution, or the other officials. Sana tulungan na lang instead of finding fault.”
[Translation: If they think that the food is not enough or it’s not nutritious, they should look for a solution, the same goes for the officials. I hope they help one another instead of finding fault.]
Overcommunicate
Crisis management expert Amor Maclang told On The Record that the fault of the organizers was the lack of transparency from the beginning.
“I think the key learning for the organizing committee is overcommunicate. Kailangan malaman ng mga tao kung sino kayo, anong ginawa niyo para sa amin, and be transparent about this. Sana nung una pa lang ginawa na nila yun,” said Maclang.
[Translation: I think the key learning for the organizing committee is to overcommunicate. People should know who they are, what they have done for them, and be transparent about this. They should have done this at the beginning.]
The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee has already issued an apology after several international football teams aired concerns over logistics upon arriving in the country.
However, Maclang also said that Filipinos should be more careful in expressing their concerns as it may affect the reputation of the country in hosting any events in the future.
“’Yung mga negative [comments] siguro awatan muna natin yan, dahil kung magiging negative tayo ang maapektuhan nito ay turismo ng bansa natin. Next time baka wala nang gustong mag-MICE event dito sa atin,” she said, referring to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits.
[Translation: I think the negative comments should be toned down for a while, because our tourism might be affected if we will continue being negative. No one might be interested to go organize MICE events in our country next time.]
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday said the organizers should accept criticisms in order to perform better.
This will be the fourth time that the Philippines will host the biennial sporting event, this time with a budget of ₱6 billion.
