by Waylon Galvez
Rep. Mikee Romero (1-Pacman Partylist) is confident that the country can accomplish a ‘golden double’ in the 30th SEA Games which the country will be hosting later this year.
Aside from showcasing the Filipinos’ first-class hospitality, Romero believes the Filipino athletes have what it takes be No. 1 at the end of the 11-day sporting extravaganza.
“We can achieve a SEAG double if we will win also the overall championship for the first time since 2005,” said Romero. “With the way our officials are doing their jobs I’m sure we will have a successful hosting of the biennial meet.”
“That way we will have a double victory, a double celebration,” said Romero.
In 2005, the country staged the SEA Games for the third time but it was a memorable one since the Philippine Team won its first overall title with 113 gold medals, 26 better than Thailand.
The godfather of the Philippine basketball team that bagged the gold medal in Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship in Ratchasima, Thailand in 2007, Romero will be seeing action in the SEA Games as part of the polo national team.
“This is a dream come true for me. I tried basketball, and also shooting, but this sports is very close to my heart,” said Romero, who began competing in 2009 and has since represented the country in various international events including the last Asian Cup where the national team finished second.
Romero, who owns the NorthPort franchise in the PBA and the chairman of the country’s biggest polo association, said that the polo squad is capable of winning at least three gold medals.
The 1-Pacman representative said that the Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee is doing well so far particularly with the launching of the volunteer program.
This, according to Romero, will be crucial in the SEA Games hosting as this will provide support for the organizing officials in taking care of the athletes and officials from other countries.
More importantly, though, he encouraged the Filipino people to support the Philippine Team athletes seeing action in different venues – Tarlac, Subic, Bulacan, La Union, Tagaytay and Manila.
“Let us embrace the ‘bayanihan’ spirit,” said Romero.
