Philippines back as host of 2019 SEA Games

	Philippines back as host of 2019 SEA Games
	22/08/2017 08:59
	Manila, Philippines, August 20, 2017: The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila announced on Thursday, August 17 that the Philippines would host the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games in 2019 after all, reports CNN Philippines. DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said that President Rodrigo Duterte "approved the PH hosting for 2019."
Bolivar added that Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano would serve as chairman of the organising committee for the hosting of the 30th SEA Games. This development comes after the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez announced on July 21 that the country was withdrawing as host of the biennial meet. The PSC cited the current situation in Mindanao and the "problem of terrorism and atrocities as the reasons for no longer pushing through" with the sporting event. Ramirez added that the resources for the hosting would instead be used for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Mindanao, especially Marawi. The country last hosted the biennial meet in 2005. (Ocasia.org)