Fans in uproar over poor TV coverage

Two days after the 22nd Southeast Asian Games was officially declared open, Filipino sports fans remain in the dark as far as the television coverage of the Philippine participation in Vietnam is concerned.

Action in archery and water polo actually started as early as last week but the exploits of the Filipino athletes have yet to hit the screen. The opening ceremony held Friday evening in Hanoi was aired a couple of hours later and was replayed yesterday afternoon.

As of Friday evening, the Philippines has already won two gold medals courtesy of Warren Kiamco and Lee Van Corteza in 9-ball billiards and Jasmin Figueroa, Rachelle Anne Cabral and Jennifer Chan in ladies team archery.

But their exploits were not covered live for Philippine consumption. Sports Radio (DZSR 91.8) was flooded with phone calls from sports fans all over the country yesterday asking why the Philippine participation in the biennial meet is hardly seen on television.

Jemah TV, a private firm, won the right to air the Vietnam SEA Games after a P1 million deal with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

It was the first time in recent memory that the government station, NBN-4, did not cover a major sports event like the SEA Games, Asian Games or even the Olympics.

The government station did not join the bidding for the Vietnam coverage.

Celso Dayrit, POC president, is confident that Jemah TV can deliver but said the coverage just won’t be as comprehensive as the previous ones.

The biennial event, however, will be aired until Dec. 13 on NBN-4 where Jemah TV is listed as a block-timer. Yesterday’s coverage started at 3 p.m. and ended at 7 in the evening.

Jemah TV, sources said, is having difficulty drawing sponsors, particularly in sports events not close to the Filipinos.

The sources added that Jemah TV, so far, has only succeeded drawing sponsors for slots that would feature the Philippine basketball team, which is favored to retain the title.