Host Vietnam remained undecided on whether it would push through with the Southeast Asian Games as scheduled in November this year.

Postponing the SEA Games to July 2022 remained to be an option for Vietnam as it grappled with the rise of coronavirus cases in its country.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the Vietnamese organizers of the SEA Games were asking for a 14-day window before they made their final decision.

“They are hesitant to make a decision,” Tolentino said in a press release after a one-hour virtual meeting among members of the SEA Games Federation.

Eight federation members – the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Brunei, Cambodia – tried to persuade Vietnam to stage the SEA Games as scheduled.

Myanmar backed Vietnam for pushing back the biennial showpiece, while Laos abstained.

Still, Tolentino said the Philippines would respect whatever decision Vietnam would come up with “because we cannot do anything if they say the games are postponed.”

The reigning overall SEA Games champion, the Philippines plans to send over 600 athletes who will be competing in 39 of the 40 sports in Vietnam. – Rappler.com