Tagaytay City hosts Cambodia SEA Games torch relay

With 39 days left before the official start of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games this May 5 in Cambodia, the spirit of the biennial meet was felt as Tagaytay City hosted a ceremonial Torch Relay on Monday.

Cambodia’s tourism minister Hor Sarun, Cambodian Ambassador to the Philippines Phan Peuv and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino were among those who participated in the torch passing activity.

Also joining the event were athletes from cycling, taekwondo, football, kickboxing, and boxing as well as Philippine Paralympic Committee head Mike Barredo, Commissioner Walter Torres of the Philippine Sports Commission, and Team Philippines’ chef de mission to the Cambodia SEA Games Chito Loyzaga.

“We warmly welcome the SEA Games Torch which is now celebrating Cambodia’s first-time hosting of the games,” Tolentino said.

“Just like in our SEA Games hosting in 2019, we value this celebration not only for sports but for peace and camaraderie in the region.”

The relay began near the Tagaytay City BMX and Skate Park at Delos Reyes Avenue before traversing Mahogany Road then back to the same area via Isaac Tolentino Avenue.

The event was held with a few weeks left before the SEA Games, which is slated from May 5 to 17 in Phnom Penh. The Philippines will be sending 840 athletes, a slightly reduced number from POC's initial plan of 905-strong delegation.

Cambodia kicked off the Torch Relay last Wednesday at the World Heritage Site Angkor Wat. They passed the flame to Vietnam, the host of the previous edition of the SEA Games, and the Philippines before it travels to Brunei, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News