The Philippines may host the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after the supposed host Brunei pulled out of hosting the games, blaming a lack of venues and preparation time. The announcement was released to the media by the Olympic Council of Asia through the official website of OCA.
The tiny, resource-rich state in Southern borders of the Philippines, Brunei, apologized to the SEA Games Federation Council after announcing its decision at a meeting in Singapore, the host of this year’s Southeast Asian Games.
The announcement prompted the Philippines to expressed its interest in taking over the 2019 edition of the biennial, 11-nation event, which opens in Singapore on Friday, June 5, 2015.
According to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Malaysia will host the next games in 2017, while Vietnam is scheduled to host the games in 2021. The other country who is scheduled to host the game is Cambodia, who confirmed that they will host the sporting event this coming 2023.
Aside from the announcement of Brunei’s withdrawal as host, the Federation also accepted Ice Hockey, Ice Skating, Cricket, Bridge and Indonesian martial art Tarung Derajat as new sports, which means that the sport are eligible for future SEA Games.
For the record, the last time the Philippines hosted the SEA Games was way back the year 2005, wherein the country made it’s best finished, winning 113 golds in 291 total medals and declared as the overall champion of the 2005 SEA Games.