Security, venues top agenda

Issues ranging from venues to security are among those expected to be tackled when the Chef de Mission meeting for the coming 23rd Southeast Asian Games is held tomorrow at the Casino Filipino plenary hall in Parañaque.

"All preparations are now in place. We will show them how ready our country is in hosting the Games," said Steve Hontiveros, secretary-general of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc).

Hontiveros will represent Philsoc in the absence of its president and chief executive officer Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr., who is currently in Geneva, Switzerland for a crucial meeting with officials of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

The Philsoc chief won’t be back until Monday and will meet with the visiting sports leaders prior to their departure from Manila.

Hontiveros met the heads of the different committees and venue managers yesterday to finalize the program of activities to be done in the weekend meeting

"Outside of the (Rizal) track oval and the football field in Marikina which still need some adjustments to pass the international playing standard, repairs and renovations in most of the venues are now almost over with minor finishing touches to be done," said Philsoc venue committee chief Richie Garcia.

Garcia however said his committee is ready for any major suggestions to be raised by the foreign visitors.

"That’s what this meeting is all about. We have to pinpoint some gray areas in our preparations so we can adjust and use the remaining resources," he said.

Protocol chief Gen. (ret.) Mario Tanchangco said proper arrangements had already been coordinated with the Aviation Security Command and the Immigration Department to ensure a hassle-free itinerary for the visiting sports officials, who are expected to arrive by batches beginning today.

Indonesia has the biggest number of delegates in the six-day gathering with 12 led by Djoko Pramono and his deputy Ahmed Solihin, followed by Thailand with eight including Gen. Yuthasak Sasiprapha, the president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.

Vietnam will have a five-man delegation headed by deputy chief of mission Ha Kha Laun, while Malaysia is sending its top two sports czar in Low Beng Choo and Enrick Ahmad Shapawi Ismar.

Brunei is led by Kapar Bangkol; Cambodia will be represented by Bun yi Prum while Myanmar will have Thuang Htike.

Also expected to arrive are Anthony Lee (Singapore), Somphou Phongsee (Laos), and Antonio Ximenes of Timor-Leste.

In the absence of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, currently in the US, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, deputy chef de mission, will represent the country in the meeting.

Hontiveros said the live broadcast of the Games set Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 and the International Press Center are also expected to be tackled during the meeting.