MANILA, Philippines - Filipino sports officials were surprised Laos scrapped basketball in its hosting of the SEA Games in December but is joining the SEABA championship slated June 6-10 in Medan, Indonesia.
For the first time in memory, Laos is competing in the SEABA joust, making it a six-team cast including host Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
“I’m surprised they’re not playing basketball in the SEA Games, now they’re joining SEABA,” said Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta.
PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios likewise considered Laos’ move an odd one.
“They couldn’t host us in the SEA Games so they’re just joining us in SEABA,” said Barrios, a member of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) board.
SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas said the country has been denied of one sure gold medal in the SEA Games although he understands the host’s predicament.
“It was a decision arrived at because the host country couldn’t provide a suitable playing venue,” said Vargas.
POC official Go Teng Kok, among those who lobbied for basketball’s inclusion in the Laos SEAG without success, said a little misunderstanding doomed their bid.
Barrios said the Powerade Team Pilipinas’ mandate is to win as big as it can in SEABA, which serves as the qualifier for the Fiba-Asia championship in Tianjin, China in August.
Ya very odd, I think Laos can host basketball, but since the committee want to have 25 sports, so that it match the 25th sea games, that is why they don't want to add any more sport.
I don't think it is strage to have 26 sports in 25th sea games.
Thank you very much! I always respect other people especially that from other countries. Anyway, we are just neighbors in the Southeast Asian region. What we should do is to help one another and be united in making our country progress in field of endeavor. It maybe in politics, economy, education or sports.
I do belive that Laos will host the `Most Fairest`SEA GAMES in history. I wanted to see the SEA GAMES in Laos for Ive seen Laos in the Internet only and in books as a very beautiful country but unfortunately Im here in Japan for my studies! Anyway, I want to congratulate your country in advance for the hosting of the 25th SEA GAMES. May this sporting events may be an opportunity in renewing ties and bonds of friendship among Southeast Countries.
My great regards and appreciation to Laotian people. Go go Laos! Mabuhay and God bless Philippnes!
Taking out a Basketball games from SEA games, just like taking out a Hockey games from a Winter Olympic games. and of course, the host, have the right to remove any sports that do not fit them. and save some bucks this is the reason why they made the move. some country might not like it, but they have to live with it. those countries has host before, they had done it too.
The answer is simple as Lao don't have enough fun to build basket ball stadium. The new stadiums are from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan... money. Lao do not hold 25 SEA GAME basically.
The answer is simple as Lao don't have enough fun to build basket ball stadium. The new stadiums are from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan... money. Lao do not hold 25 SEA GAME basically.
the gov is regretful to accept for hosting the seagame at the first time, but now we have no choice, do the best for our guest.and for our face.. you know lao people love face more than anything,,,, ask yourself.
when other country helping us to host the game, so dont we lose face?? the answer is '' NO" but we never lose face for foreign aids. because we dont beg them, they give us...howcome we reject??
My friend...In fact Lao is already losing face. Lao is so weak for economic and social in the eyes of foreign countries. Think of yourself. If you help your friend who weaker than yourself. It means you dominated him theoritically in some point. You are better learn more international politic.
"being better then others is a ridiculous dream that will never satisfy you, but if you keep on becoming better then your self, you can see how far you have come until every one else is looking up at you. "
IN other words:
being better then somone else is useless , but being better then what you use to be is more valuable. after you keep on making yourself better you will realize that you are the best.
lao is doing tihs for the first time. wayy better then the old lao could have ever done. i cant wait to see what future lao looks like.
