Foreign sailors rarin’ to test Subic waters

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Sailing teams from Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Singapore have started to arrive here, eager to test the Subic waters and get the feel of the competition in time for staging of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 27.

"The foreign athletes have started to arrive in the country’s premier Freeport to practice their respective sporting events here and get the feel of the competition which will be held in two weeks’ time," SBMA Administrator for administration and chief executive officer (CEO) Armand Arreza told The STAR.

Among the first batches of arrivals belong to sailing teams of Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Singapore, and the canoe squad of Indonesia. Other teams are expected to come in as late as Nov. 28.

Sailing competition will be held at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC), where the RP team has been training since June, trying to master the wind and water current factors of Subic’s waters.

Meanwhile, SBMA deputy administrator and Philsoc-SBMA Secretariat overall chairman Ramon De Leon has denied reports that the RP teams will be given low-class accommodation while their foreign counterparts would enjoy deluxe hotels. He explained that accommodations would be of two types — (1) pre-SEA Games, and (2) official Games.

He further pointed out that for pre-SEA Games period, foreign athletes booked accommodations on their own or through the auspices of their respective sponsors. All athletes and officials will be billeted according to sports during the game proper, which will start on Nov. 26.

De Leon added that athletes and officials are to be billeted as such in hotels near their competition venue to avoid teams arriving late for their respective events.

De Leon also said that they are encouraging foreign, as well as local athletes and guests to see the beautiful places in and around the Freeport.

"I encourage not only foreign guests but also the local tourists to go to the different beautiful sites around Subic and Olongapo, and even in Morong and Zambales," he said.

"The best experience is really to see this beautiful place called Subic Freeport because we have everything here-not just beautiful beaches, or forest trails. We also have theme parks where people can enjoy. Yet in the middle of it is a bustling industrial site," he added.

Apart from sailing, other SEA Games events on tap at the Subic Freeport are archery in Remy Field Athletic Center, canoe/kayak at Malawaan Fishing Area, and triathlon at Boardwalk Area. -Bebot Sison Jr.