What it’s about: We’re off to a messy start in the hosting of the SEA Games 2019, but in the end, the games are all about the athletes.

Here’s Hidilyn Diaz talking about her journey to the coveted women’s weightlifting gold. She put the past behind her and is focusing on winning.

Worth revisiting too is this video on Carlos Yulo and how he tumbled to success. He’s the first Filipino world gymnastics champion, and at the same time, a qualifier in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Related stories:

• EJ Obiena bags 2019 Universiade pole vault gold, sets new PH record
• Nesthy Petecio strikes gold in women’s world boxing

Contentious issues: Newsbreak investigative head Chay Hofileña, along with sports reporter Beatrice Go, justice reporter Lian Buan, House of Representatives reporter Mara Cepeda, and business reporter Ralf Rivas take apart the issues surrounding the SEA Games.

Enough time to prepare? We’re not exactly newbies at hosting the Games – this is, in fact, our 4th time, first time in 1981, then 1991, and 2005.

But as Bee Go notes, it’s been 14 years since our last hosting and the technology has tremendously changed. Back then, we hosted only 40 sports – now we are hosting a whopping 56, adding up to at least 530 events.

How did we end up hosting the games? In 2015, the Philippines agreed to host the games after Brunei withdrew. But the Marawi siege happened and President Rodrigo Duterte said the administration would rather spend the money on the rehabilitation of the city that was reduced to rubble. Thailand and Indonesia offered to host the games. The Indonesians could reuse the venues used for the 2018 Asian Games. But in 2017, the Philippines announced it would push through with the hosting.

In this enlightening discussion, Chay and the reporters tackle these points:

• Is the chairmanship of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) a conflict of interest for Alan Peter Cayetano, a congressman and the Speaker of the House?
• Why is Cayetano asking for a special audit of the games?
• What are the glaring issues in the joint venture the BCDA inked with MTD Capital Berhad?
• What are the prospects of improving our 2017 record of a measly 24 golds?
• Is media unpatriotic for shining the light on embarrassing booboos and incompetencies?

SEA games chaotic pre-opening recap:

Cayetano dares critics: ‘Hold me accountable’ for SEA Games mess. SEA Games organizing chair and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano says, “I can look anyone in the eye [and say] ni singko, wala kaming kinita dito sa (we never made even a penny from the) SEA Games.”

Duterte ‘displeased’ by SEA Games mishaps, wants probe. President Rodrigo Duterte is dismayed about the many mishaps plaguing the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. He wants a probe into the blunders.

Drilon: Why build P9.5B New Clark facility when Rizal Stadium can be upgraded for P1.2B? Questioned by Senator Franklin Drilon, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez says the 84-year-old Rizal Memorial Sports Complex could be upgraded to the same standards for P1.2 billion.

Drilon questions P50-million ‘kaldero’ for 2019 SEA Games. Senate Minority Floor Leader Frank Drilon says, “We do away with 50 classrooms to build a P50-million kaldero that we use only once? I am not even talking about overpricing. I’m talking about propriety.”

Organizers ignored NCMF offer on halal food. 2019 SEA Games officials received – and ignored – advice from a commission on Muslim Filipinos to ensure delegates from Islamic countries are served halal food.

Football teams grumble: SEA Games hosting chaotic. Athletes waited a long time at the airport. They were shuttled in buses with uncomfortable seats. Teams were brought to the wrong hotels. Disorganization marks the arrival of teams participating in the Southeast Asian Games earning flak for host country Philippines.

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