By: Waylon Galvez
In a historic announcement, the country’s top officials confirmed on Monday that the Philippines will host the very first Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games from December 2 to 14, 2027, as part of efforts to ensure continuity in the development of the nation’s youth sports program.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio formally launched the SEA Plus Youth Games, with more than 20 countries being considered for participation in the inaugural event.
“As founding president of the SEAG Plus Youth Games, we will be hosting the first edition of the event,” said Tolentino during a press briefing at the PSC Media Center in Manila.
It was Tolentino who first proposed the idea to fellow SEA Games officials, which was eventually approved during the Ratification and Solidarity meeting at the Thailand biennial meet last December.
Gregorio, appointed by Tolentino as head of the Local Organizing Committee, expressed his excitement over the creation of the SEA Plus Youth Games. He highlighted its alignment with the PSC’s youth sports program, which is now receiving more focus to help nurture young athletes.
“It’s a great idea. In fact, it’s an excellent idea. It’s for the development of the country’s grassroots. Mag-align ito sa Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy. Siyempre, shoot na shoot din ito sa programa nating sports tourism. This is really very good,” said Gregorio.
Like the SEA Games, the youth version will feature 12 Southeast Asian countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.
Tolentino added that the SEA Plus Youth Games will not be limited to Southeast Asia, as invitations have also been extended to other Asian countries, including Bahrain, Bhutan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Turkmenistan.
The proposed sports disciplines include the two mandatory events — aquatics and athletics — alongside Olympic sports such as triathlon, judo, boxing, golf, skateboarding, wrestling, fencing, basketball, tennis, and gymnastics.
Non-Olympic sports such as jiu-jitsu, billiards, dance sports, and mixed martial arts will also be featured, along with one traditional sport: local martial arts arnis.
Most of the games will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, while aquatics and athletics competitions will take place at the New Clark City Aquatics Center and Track Oval in Capas, Tarlac.
“After the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, now is the time na ipakita ulit natin ang pagho-host,” said Tolentino.
“Tulung-tulong po tayo dito dahil ang hosting ng bansa natin ang nakataya dito.”
