POC, PFF leaders say it's time to focus on athletes after pre-opening glitches

Leaders of both the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) urged Filipinos to "move on" after several complaints were reported about logistics, transportation, and food on the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“We all make mistakes that’s why we should work together. Those in the social media, the netizens, let’s move on first with our hosting,” POC president and national cycling president Abraham Tolentino said Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Amelie Hotel in Manila.

Tolentino shared he himself experienced glitches when he attended competitions abroad. "Ganun talaga. Kahit ako na-experience sa ibang bansa. Marami 'yan, so I hope maintindihan ng iba," Tolentino said.

Despite the glitches, Tolentino said these have been addressed by the organizing committee and as a nation, we should focus on our athletes instead.

"We just focus on our athletes. Doon tayo bumawi, baka mabawi natin ang overall championship," the congressman from Cavite said. "Not only we win as one, we stand as one in hosting the SEA Games," he added.

PFF President Nonong Araneta said echoed Tolentino's sentiments, saying we should stand behind the country for the successful hosting of the SEA Games. "Ang sinasabi namin, tulong-tulong na lang para maging successful itong games natin," he said.

Since the football games began yesterday, Araneta said Filipinos should shift their focus on the ongoing competition.

“We want to move on and focus on the competition,” said Araneta. "Right now, we just have to help each other and also support our athletes." —MGP, GMA News