Cebu spruces up for SEA Games

CEBU CITY — Despite the limited resources, Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee (CebuSoc) chairman Jonathan Guardo assured that everything is in place and quality preparations are being undertaken with regards to Cebu’s co-hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games set from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.

"We still have a lot of work to do, but the venues are all ready," said Guardo, who is also the chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission.

Cebu is tasked to host six events in the biennial sports conclave. These include dancesport and pencak silat at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel, karatedo and judo at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, sepak takraw at the University of San Carlos-Main gym and mountainbike in Danao City.

So far, Guardo said Cebu has not yet spent a substantial amount as far as its preparations are concerned considering the venues no longer need repairs. In fact, the venues have been renovated for varied purposes other than the SEA Games earlier this year.

Last March, the USC-Main gym underwent a multimillion-peso facelift for its hosting of the first qualifying round of the World Men’s Volleyball Championships last March.

The same goes to Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, which went through a major renovation in light of the city’s hosting of the Asian Youth Girls Volleyball Championships in April of this year.

Both venues, as well as the Waterfront-Cebu City Hall, are at par with international standards and got passing grade from the National Sports Association (NSA) officials and a team of foreign executives who conducted an ocular inspection here last month.

"Our expenses so far are just minimal. We will incur the bulk of our expenditures during the Games proper. We will spend more on operations because we no longer need repairs on our venues," said Guardo.

Adhering to the call of Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez to enforce some austerity measures in the face of financial crisis gripping the country, Guardo said he is planning to trim down the P3-million budget he intended for the opening and closing ceremonies at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Overall, Cebu needs at least P12 million to carry out its co-hosting chores in the 11-nation athletic meet.

Guardo confided that up to now, they are still trying to find ways and means to source out P9 million as the city government has only allocated P3 million for that purpose.

"We are still looking for additional funds up to now. Some companies have already pledged support, but all of them in kind. No corporate sponsor yet has assured us of financial assistance," lamented Guardo.

CebuSoc member Cheryl Ouano, who is also the Mandaue City Sports and Development Commission chairperson, said the concerned local government units can actually afford to shoulder all the expenses of the delegates, but called Philsoc’s move in shelling out P50 million for the renovation of sports facilities and equipment in Bacolod City as "unfair."

"Philsoc gave P50 million to Bacolod City and nothing to Cebu. That’s unfair. I felt that Cebu is being neglected. I’m very disappointed with that," said Ouano, adding that she will raise this concern during their meeting with Philsoc officials at 10 a.m. today.

A top official of Philsoc, who requested anonymity, admitted that Philsoc seemed being unfair in handing out such a huge amount to Bacolod City without pitching in even a single centavo to Cebu.

"It’s true that Philsoc allocated P50 million to Bacolod City. Yun nga lang walang financial assistance na ibinibigay sa Cebu. Dapat sana Philsoc should allocate more fairly," the official said.

"If Cebu will ask for financial assistance from us, maybe they should put it into writing then we should look what we can do about it," he added.

Guardo said they are indeed considering to ask financial assistance from Philsoc.

"We’ll probably bring that matter to Philsoc. It would be nice if Philsoc gives us some financial assitance. If not, it’s still okay with us because we have other sources of revenues. Like for instance Cebu Province which is willing to help us," said Guardo.

Guardo is confident though that despite all the intricacies they are faced with, Cebu will definitely come up with a successul hosting of the Games.

"I can assure the Cebuanos that we will definitely make it a very successful hosting of the Game," said Guardo. "Our objective is not just to give the Cebu tourism industry a big boost. By hosting the Games, I hope that it will inspire a lot of Cebuanos to take up sports seriously. Hopefully we can achieve that goal also."

CebuSoc honorary chairman Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña also promised that "we will do everything we can to ensure a successful staging of the Games." — Freeman News Service