By NICK GIONGCO
Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario, chief of mission of the Philippines in the 2019 staging of the Southeast Asian Games, has the full backing of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
POC president Ricky Vargas said that while the country’s sports leaders are focused on the Asian Games, which will kick off in August in Indonesia, del Rosario is silently working.
“Monsour is in touch with the athletes, he knows the athletes and that alone is proof that he is working and preparations are ongoing,” said Vargas.
“He’s doing a lot of work, he goes around and he knows what the athletes need,” said Vargas.
Del Rosario, a taekwondo standout during his heyday as a national athletes, has Vargas trust and confidence despite making it appear that the stakeholders have yet to sit down and discuss the hosting of the Nov. 30-Dec. 9 sportsfest.
“He’s just being nice because he’s been doing a lot as far as preparations,” added Vargas.
Clark Green City will be the main hub of the hosting with alternate host cities like Manila and Subic also holding events.
The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, is also a venue.
Talks regarding the hosting should escalate after the Asian Games, said Del Rosario.