Philippines, other countries complain over some events in 2023 SEA Games as Cambodia plans 632 contests

The Philippine Olympic Committee, along with other countries, contested the inclusion of some events in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games which will be hosted by Cambodia.

As hosts, Cambodia is laying out a 49-sport program with a record number of events at 632. However, not every member country of the SEAG Federation is in favor of this.

"Many events are under sports that don't have international federations (IFs) or most of the SEA Games countries aren't familiar with," POC president and Rep. Abraham Tolentino told the POC Executive Board in a meeting on Monday.

"This is the biggest SEA Games in history with 632 events, but we will lessen them because they are so many, particularly in martial arts where most of the countries aren't familiar with."

Cambodia plans to add 30 events in vovinam, 24 events in martial arts Korea, and 13 in dragonboat, which is a sport where Cambodia is strong. The country's traditional martial arts Kun Bukator will be retained as a gesture of respect to the host country.

"We respected the Kun Bokator because that's their traditional sport, but we cannot allow the others," Tolentino said. "They (hosts) also have a different IF in Muay Thai and the martial arts Korea." Martial arts Korea is different from taekwondo.

The SEA Games Federation will meet again next week to decide on the events for the 32nd edition of the biennial meet.

During the 2019 SEA Games, the Philippines had 56 sports with 530 events, while Vietnam had 40 sports with 526 events during the 31st edition last May. The lowest number was Brunei with 22 sports and 233 events in 1999.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News