With barely two years more to go, the Philippine Olympic Committee announced that they are ready to host the 2019 Southeast Asian games.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials said that they are now willing to take the responsibility to host the 2019 Southeast Asian games despite financial challenges.
Philippines earlier refused to the host for the tournament in 2019 but later changed its decision after private sectors committed to helping in funding. The government earlier told organisers that they will not be able to host the ASEAN games because the country will be using most of its fund for the Marawi rehabilitation.
Marawi city will be needing 20 billion pesos for the rehabilitation after it was torn apart by a bloody war between Maute militants and Philippine soldiers.
Brunei refused to be host
However, Philippines was not the first choice for the ASEAN games host. Brunei was approached to hold the games but the country refused by saying that they do not have the facilities and manpower.
POC Chairman, Peping Cojuangco, earlier talked to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the country's decision to not host the event.
What to expect
Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Ramon Fernandez said the commission will no longer ask for any financial assistance from the Office of the President since the private sector has agreed to fund the event.
The POC will be organising 25 sports events and 10 countries are expected to participate in the Southeast Asian biggest sports event. The countries are Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao, Brunei.
