By Jonas Terrado
Problems encountered by four men’s football teams made rounds on social media Saturday, putting the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games to an inauspicious start.
Reportedly the Cambodian football team upon arrival early Saturday morning
Defending champion Thailand had to cancel a scheduled training session at the Rizal Memorial Stadium after the team’s official Instagram account described accreditation problems coupled with the traffic within the metropolis.
Myanmar and Timor-Leste had to wait for hours upon clearing immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before their buses had to arrive. In fact, Myanmar had to take a mini-bus en route to the hotel while Timor-Leste was reportedly brought to the wrong hotel.
But images, apparently of several Cambodian footballers resting on the floor of a function room as they wait for their hotel accommodations caused plenty of uproar from Filipinos and neighboring ASEAN countries.
Men’s football kicks off Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, one of many events that will be held days before the formal opening on Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
These issues are likely to cause more discussion Sunday afternoon with a pre-tournament press conference set the Century Park Hotel which is adjacent to the Rizal pitch.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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