MANILA: Southeast Asian Games host the Philippines apologised on Sunday (Nov 24) after some arriving athletes were left stranded for hours at the airport or were driven to the wrong hotel, a logistical snafu that drew criticism just days before the competition starts.
Athletes have begun flying into Manila ahead of Saturday's opening, but for Cambodia and East Timor's football squads the arrival was not what they were expecting.
East Timor's team was driven to the wrong hotel, complicating their arrival and training schedules.
"All nations deserve respect and what happened yesterday was not so beautiful," East Timor's coach Fabiano Flora told reporters.
The Philippines SEA Games organising committee offered an explanation of the hiccups, putting blame on a last-minute change in travel plans and the afternoon check-in time of the hotel.
"We sincerely apologise to our athlete guests ... for the inconvenience caused to them by the confusion," the committee said in a statement. "We ... vow to do better."
The games, the first hosted by the Philippines since 2005, are expected to draw thousands of athletes, journalists and dignitaries over their nearly two-week run.
Local athletes were also affected, as Philippine footballer Hali Long took to Facebook on Sunday to say that rooms were not ready even after 2pm at the hotel where her team was staying.
"Rooms weren’t ready yet, so we ate lunch while they fixed our rooms. Instead of 2 per room, we’ve adjusted to 4-5 per room," she wrote.
"It’s now 2.15pm and the rooms aren’t ready. They moved us to a function room, so we wouldn’t crowd the lobby for other arriving teams.
"Sad that we’re the host team and this is how we’re being treated. I can’t imagine how other countries must feel."
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/sea-games-philippines-apology-12121398
