By HENRY EMPEÑO |

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Bay, one of the major venues for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, is now all primed to host the 17 sports competitions to be played in this premier economic and tourism center.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma declared Subic’s readiness on Monday, as she led the symbolic lighting of the SEA Games cauldron here with PHISGOC Director for Ceremonies and Cultural Events Mike Aguilar, and 2015 SEA Games triathlon gold medal winners Ma. Claire Adorna, and Nikko Huelgas.

“We’re all ready. Subic is ready,” Eisma assured thus, adding that the rehabilitation and preparation of the eight sports venues here were completed in time for the competitions on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Eisma also thanked the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the Philippine Sports Commission, and the national government “for making things happen for Subic” and pledged the agency’s all-out assistance in return.

“We are here to support the competing athletes, and to make sure everything will go as planned,” Eisma said. “I challenge the SBMA team to make sure that we stand strong and steadfast in the next two weeks, and I am very confident that together, we will win as one,” she added.

Subic, which is considered the triathlon capital of the Philippines, will host 17 out of the 56 sports up for competition in the games that will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

According to SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, who is manager of the SEA Games Subic Cluster, a total of eight venues were prepared for the 17 games to be held here.

The sports events to be hosted in Subic are windsurfing, canoe/kayak, traditional boat race, Dragon boat racing, beach volleyball, beach handball, muay thai, pencak silat, table tennis, sailing, sepak takraw, aquatics (open water swimming), duathlon, triathlon, modern pentathlon, chess, and rowing.

In Monday’s lighting ceremony, PHISGOC Director Mike Aguilar stressed that Subic’s partnership and support “is valuable in forging this strong and powerful bond across our region.”

“In recent weeks, we have passed on the flame from Davao to Cebu, to Pampanga. And now we are here in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Aguilar said.

“It is the hope of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee that the games be an opportunity to highlight not just the growing passion, talent and skills, of every southeast Asian athlete, but also the hope and solidarity that drive every game,” he added.

The Philippines last hosted the biennial SEA Games 14 years ago, with Subic as venue for archery, canoeing, sailing and triathlon out of the 40 sports competitions held.

 

TOP PHOTO: Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma lights the SEA Games cauldron on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Subic Bay Freeport, as she was cheered on by PHISGOC Director for Ceremonies and Cultural Events Mike Aguilar, and 2015 SEA Games triathlon gold medal winners Ma. Claire Adorna and Nikko Huelgas (Photo by DONG ANDRES)