Some venues yet to be finished for 30th SEA Games

With a month left before the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games kicks off this November, several of the facilities that will be used still remain under construction.

According to Ian Cruz's Tuesday report on GMA 7 news program 24 Oras, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where the taekwondo and weightlifting events will be held, was already 80 percent complete.

Meanwhile, the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium and the tennis facilities were still ongoing.

However, not all the facilities in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will be finished in time for the games.

While the construction of the new court for the squash tournament was in full swing, the Philippine Sports Commission conceded that they may have to transfer the event to the Manila Polo Club since it work may not be completed on time.

"Kung building lang, matatapos, pero 'yong ilalatag doon na special flooring, manggagaling pa sa Germany kaya baka hindi dumating on time," PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram explained.

Schedule

Meanwhile, despite Tuesday's Cotabato earthquake, the torch relay would push through as scheduled on Wednesday.

"Wala pa kaming naririnig na defer o cancellation kasi there is a schedule that is being observed by the organizing committee," PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez said.

He added there would also be a group that would handle whatever crisis arises in the clustered areas of the venues for the SEA Games.

The athletes' sendoff would be on November 13 at the Art Deco building inside the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The opening ceremonies will be held on November 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News