Philippines Wants to Step Up Hosting Duties

(ATR) The Philippines believes hosting the just completed Southeast Asian Games will help the country in staging the Asian Games in 2030.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino says he will be traveling to Jakarta next week to officially bid for the 21st edition of the Asian Games, according to media reports in the Philippines.

The country has hosted the Asian Games only once, in 1954 in Manila.

"It’s going to be a long process. The Olympic Council of Asia will have to study it (our bid) first. But we have 10 years to prepare – the good thing is our workforce, the volunteers already have the experience," Tolentino told reporters.

Earlier this month, Olympic Council of Asia vice president Wei Jizhong said he was impressed with the country’s hosting of the SEA Games and suggested that the Philippines consider bidding for events like the 2030 Asian Games.

The praise from the OCA came despite some serious logistical problems early on, including accommodation issues that left athletes sleeping on hotel lobby floors.

The Philippines could end up facing a number of competitors for the 2030 Asian Games.

India has been talking about a bid since 2018 and Qatar announced the launch of its effort in September.

Other countries that have voiced an interest include Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Thailand and Uzbekistan, though the latter may no longer be in the running after being awarded the 2025 Asian Youth Games earlier this year.

The OCA has not revealed a timeline for determining a host for the 2030 Asian Games. The decision to award Hangzhou, China the 2022 Games was made seven years in advance. Nagoya, Japan was given the hosting rights for 2026 ten years in advance.

Written by Gerard Farek

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