Support pours in for SEAG caging

Officials of the Southeast Asian Games Federation are to push for a temporary lifting of the Philippine suspension by the International Basketball Federation so basketball can be played in the coming 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok, who is also special assistant to the Philippine Olympic Committee president, said he has talked with various sports leaders in the region and they’re willing to endorse the appeal of the Philippines with the FIBA.

"We’re not asking recognition for any association. We’re just appealing for a provisional lifting of the Philippine suspension so that basketball won’t be scrapped in the SEA Games calendar," said Go.

"The other federations have understood our situation. They can’t imagine staging the SEA Games without water polo in Singapore, without boxing in Thailand and without football in many countries. They know how dear basketball is to Filipinos," Go added.

The Singapore federation is supporting the move while Thai Olympic Committee secretary-general Maj. Gen. Charouck Arirachakaran agreed to endorse the appeal in a meeting with Go and POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros Tuesday night.

Arirachakaran is in the country working out the broadcast rights of the Games for Thailand among other things.

"We have discussed and agreed to make that move. We want basketball to be played because we want to defend our women’s basketball title," said Arirachakaran.

Go also said they may get the support from no less than the SEA Games Federation during the chiefs of mission meeting here Friday.

"We told them to forget the issue. We just want to save basketball in the SEA Games," said Go.