SEA Games: Hotel releases statement on plight of Cambodia, Thai athletes

By Marjaleen Ramos

The management of Century Park Hotel released a statement on Monday after football teams from Cambodia and Thailand encountered hotel arrangement problems upon their arrival in the country over the weekend.

In a Facebook post, the management said that the Cambodian football team was not accommodated immediately due to full occupancy.

It added that the signed agreement with the organizers included accommodations with standard check-in time of 2 p.m.

“We were told that team members from Cambodia were coming in early on November 23, 2019 the night before. As much as we wanted to accommodate the request, it was not possible due to full occupancy. Standard check out is until 12 noon,” Century Park Hotel said.

“However, as early as 8:25 a.m., some members were given an early check-in due to availability of rooms,” it added.

The hotel added that they offered the athletes its function rooms to serve as temporary holding area after breakfast.

“We asked them if they needed more chairs but they declined, preferring the floors so they could lie down to rest. Lunch was also served to them accordingly.”

The hotel also clarified that the cycle menu, as well as the number of water bottles given to each person, was part of the agreement with the SEA Games organizers.

The Thailand Football Association also complained Sunday morning about their water rations. The group said that only four bottles of drinking water were provided in a room of two athletes—two from the hotel management and two from the organizer.

“The 30th SEA Games in the Philippines has found the latest daily issue. The food problem in each meal is usually the same menu, over and over, and drinking water is limited,” it said in a Facebook post.

Century Park Hotel, however, said it will coordinate with the organizers for the said concern.

“Rest assured that we continue to uphold our mission to provide a home away from home to all our guests. We will strive to make the SEA Games delegation’s stay a memorable one in the coming days,” the hotel said.

On Sunday night, the Office of the President extended its apology for the inconvenience endured by the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletes, saying it was “unintentional.”

“The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

Source: Manila Bulletin