Brunei pulls out of SEAG men’s football

BACOLOD CITY–Brunei has withdrawn from the men’s football competition in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games that will be hosted at Paglaum Sports Complex and the Panaad Park and Stadium here, leaving only nine squads vying for the crown.

Rep. Monico Puentevella, executive member of the Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee, said the football squad of Brunei might be having problems or it may not have a strong team that is why it withdrew from the event.

Seeing action for the Brunei centerpiece event are defending champion Thailand, Cambodia, last year’s runner-up Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia and host Philippines.

Malaysia and Singapore also pulled out from the women’s football hostilities that will be played in Marikina.

Meanwhile, with less than three weeks before the biennial meet, the Bacolod SEAG Organizing Committee has formed a crisis management committee as part of its preparations for co-hosting the games that kick off Nov. 20-Dec. 5 in the city.

Puentevella said the committee is responsible for taking precautionary measures for any SEA Games-related problem that may arise.

It will be composed of BaSoc co-chairman Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Puentevella and Supt. Pedro Merced, Bacolod City Police officer-in-charge, who suggested the formation of the team.

The solon is expected to meet with Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes next week on how his department could help the crisis management committee.

The local BaSoc also met with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative officials to get their assurance that power supply in all venues will be uninterrupted.

Meanwhile, tenants who have been encroaching on the Paglaum grandstand have already agreed to vacate the premises starting yesterday, Efren Timtiman, BaSoc deputy secretary-general, said.

The white sand that will be mounted in the beach volleyball court at the University of St. La Salle ballfield will also arrive this week, he added.