(Eagle News) — The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) has been recognized as the best organizer of the Southeast Asian Games after the staging world-class opening ceremonies at the 55,000 seater Philippine Arena that has gained the admiration of viewers all over the world, as well as for organizing the biggest SEA Games so far, with 56 sports comprising 530 events.
The recognition comes from the Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Asia, considered as the region’s leading sports business conference and awards platform. It recognizes and celebrates the achievements of the Asian sports industry for the past years.
SPIA chief executive officer Eric Gottschalk personally handed the award of excellence recognizing the Philippines’ achievement to PHISGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano and PHISGOC chief operating officer Ramon Suzara during the conference organized by SPIA Asia in Grand Hyatt Hotel last Tuesday night.
“There’s a staggering of 57 sports, that’s 20 sports more than in any of the 29 editions before,” Gottschalk said in his brief introduction before handing the award for excellence for the 2019 SEA Games hosting to PHISGOC.
“These are by far the best Southeast Asian Games so far ever, and that has been awarded by SPI Asia to PHISGOC congratulations,” he said.
SPI Asia also posted its congratulations to the Philippines for its excellent 2019 SEA Games hosting in its Facebook page.
“Congratulations to SEA Games 2019 for winning the SPIA Asia Excellence Award for ” Best Ever SEA Games” #segames2019 #spiaasia2019 #recognizingsportingexcellence,” SPI Asia said in a Facebook post.
The award body also recognizes and celebrates Asia’s Top 10 in 25 distinct awards categories including the Asia’s Best Sportsman and Asia’s Best Sports Woman category, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze being awarded to the best performers.
Cayetano thanked the SPIA Asia for the award.
“Thank you Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Asia for awarding the 30th South East Asian Games as the best SEAG organizer,” he said in a post.
“It was an honor to be joined by CEO of SPIA Eric Gottschalk, Rep. Abraham Tolentino (POC Chair), PHISGOC COO Ramon Suzara, International Football Legend Ronaldo Nazario and USA Track and Field Olympian Dr. Edwin Moses,” he added.
Suzara also thanked the SPIA, saying the recognition given to PHISGOC will inspire its workforce to work harder and do better in the remaining days of the biennial meet.
Aside from PHISGOC, SPIA Asia also gave special recognition to Philippine sports personalities: Carlos Yulo for gymnastics, James and Phil Younghusband for football, and Victor Cui, for One Championship.
(with a PNA report)
