Philippines set to host 2033 SEA Games after clinching hosting bid

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippines will once again take on primary hosting duties of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) after successfully winning its bid for the 2033 edition.

After hosting the 2019 SEA Games which was considered a success by the board of committee, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will have a chance to top it off 11 years from now.

It was POC president Abraham Tolentino who confirmed the recent development after their council meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last July 13, 2022.

“After presenting the hosting bid to the council, and following its approval, the POC and the SEA Games Council will ask the Philippine government to issue a letter of support,” said Tolentino.

However, Tolentino reiterated that such move will still be presented to the Philippine government and they will still have the final say if they will not be catering to the 2033 SEA Games hosting.

If the government headed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will happily show support and allow the POC and the PSC to host the event, then this will be PHL’s fifth time.

The last time that the country hosted the SEA Games, the Filipino athletes recorded the second time PHL finished first place in the overall medal tally.

PHL’s first-ever success in the SEA Games came last 2005 and was also hosted by the country. During the 2021 edition, they only finished fourth place.

Before shifting focus to their 2033 hosting bid, the country will first have to do better in the five next meetings from 2023-2031.

Cambodia earned hosting rights for next year’s event, Bangkok in 2025, Malaysia in 2027, Singapore in 2029, Laos in 2031, and the Philippines in 2033.