Organizers announce final dates for Vietnam SEA Games in 2022

Organizers of the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games set to be hosted by Vietnam announced on Friday that the biennial meet will take place from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi next year.

The Games will unfurl just three days removed from the May 2022 elections and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino bared majority of athletes, coaches, and officials won't be able to cast their votes.

“This is one of those sacrifices of having to represent the country in an international competition,” said Tolentino in a statement.

“The main bulk of the delegation will be leaving for Vietnam no less than a week before the opening ceremony. This is because our athletes need to acclimatize and get the feel of the competition venues, environment and weather.”

POC has already identified a 626-athlete delegation for the next edition of the SEA Games, where the Philippines is the reigning overall champion. POC also bared the Philippines will join in 39 of the 40 sports on the Vietnam games program.

During the country's hosting of the 30th SEAG in 2019, the Philippines collected a total of 387 medals highlighted by 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze.

“With the dates set, our athletes, through their national sports associations, could now specifically program their training and peak at the right time in May,” Tolentino added.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News