THE presence of all 11 competing nations in the SEAGames PH 2019 was formally recognized on Friday morning during simple flag-raising ceremonies held at the plaza of the Athletes Village at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The delegations were welcomed by Athletes Village Mayor Arrey Perez, Bases Conversion Development Authority vice president for Business Development, according to Team Philippines deputy chef de mission Stephen Fernandez.
All present and accounted for were the contingents from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and the host Philippines, he said, adding that the colors of the respective countries were raised in alphabetical order.
“Of course as the host, the Philippine was the last country to raise the national flag.”
“It was a very simple program with the either the chief of mission or deputy chief of mission leading the respective delegations,” said Fernandez, who represented Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, the national team chef de mission.
He bared that he showed up at the flag-raising rites together with some arnisathletes, who are already billeted at the Village, and members of the medical staff.
“There was an exchange of tokens while Perez gave an inspirational talk, reminding everyone of maintaining the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship when the actual competition begins and urging everyone in making the SEA Games a success,” Fernandez recalled.
The event was held before the opening ceremonies of the 30th edition of the regional sports showcase on Saturday at the 50,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan before the SEAG goes full blast the next day.
“We expect a lot of athletes and officials to start streaming in to the Athletes Village today,” said the deputy CDM, baring that aside from the aquatics and athletics squads other campaigners vying in neighboring Pampanga will also be quartered at the NCC Athletes Village.
”The men’s and women’s softball teams have begun moving in and the other athletes who will be seeing action in Pampanga will also have their quarters here.”
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