2005 SEAG okayed—Dayrit

HANOI, Vietnam – The Southeast Asian Games Federation has officially confirmed the Philippines’ hosting of the 23rd SEA Games in 2005.

This was reported yesterday by Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit, who formally presented the letter signed by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accepting the country’s hosting during Saturday’s SEAG Federation Council meeting here.

"It gives me great pleasure to inform you that in accordance with Article 22 of the SEA Games constitution, the Council of the SEA Games Federation, at its meeting (held on April 13, 2002 at the Daewoo Hotel, Hanoi), unanimously decided to award the XXIII SEA Games in 2005 to the Philippine Olympic Committee," said Vietnamese Minister Nguyen Danh Thai, the incumbent SEAG Federation head.

Minister Nguyen added: "I would like to take this opportunity to extend the full support of the SEA Games Federation to the Philippine Olympic Committee for the successful organization for the XXIII SEA Games in 2005."

In his response, Dayrit said: "On behalf of the POC, the Philippine Government and the Filipino people, I would like to invite all the youth of Southeast Asia to meet in Manila for the 2005 Games. This will be the third time that the Philippines will be hosting the Games, and we are proud to welcome all of you again in the spirit of Olympism and brotherhood.

Delegates from 10 countries in the region attended the meeting.