CLARK, PAMPANGA — With the theme “We Win As One,” the Philippines launched here on Friday the one-year countdown to the hosting of the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games.
Hundreds of past and present national athletes, SEA Games Federation members, dignitaries from the other 10 participating nations, and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) led by its chairman, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, gathered to officially launch and light up the countdown clock at exactly 7 p.m.
The countdown celebration, a time honored tradition of international games, signals the start of a series of activities, functions and gatherings leading up to the opening of the 30th SEA Games in November 30, 2019.
“But more than a celebration, this gathering is a display of solidarity in support of our hardworking athletes. These athletes who triumph amid trials truly embody the Filipino values of determination and heroism,” Cayetano said.
“In all our activities for next year’s Games, we should embrace the spirit of unity. We are one and we win as one,” Cayetano stressed.
The guest of honor during the launch of the countdown clock is Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea representing President Rodrigo Duterte. Also present were Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Ricky Vargas, and Athletes’ Commission Chairman Nikko Huelgas.
It is the first time that the SEA Games will have a countdown clock as part of the government’s commitment to raise the standards of hosting to the level of the Asian Games.
The clock structure, designed by Budji+Royal, stands at the Bayanihan Park in Clark.
Clark will serve as the main hub of the 30th SEA Games in 2019, with the construction of world-class sports facilities in the New Clark City Sports Village, which includes the Aquatics Center and the Athletics Stadium.
For next year’s SEA Games, there are 56 sports to be played by nearly 10,000 athletes from 11 countries. The 11 countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The opening ceremony will be held at the Philippine Arena on November 30, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
The Philippines last hosted the SEA Games in 2005.