By Mario Casayuran

The P13-billion New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac is ready for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that the Philippines will be hosting, Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go said on Thursday.

Go, chairman of the Senate sports committee, made this assessment after conducting an ocular inspection of the Sports Complex where a new sports high school will soon rise.

“As planned and promised, the construction of the sports complex is right on schedule. It will no doubt be ready for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games,” Go said.

“With the state-of-the-art facilities, we can show the athletes and guests from our neighboring countries that the Philippines is more than capable of hosting international sports events, and we can boost the morale of our own athletes so that they will perform to the best of their abilities and earn medals for our country,” he stressed.

The 30th SEA Games, a biennial multi-sport event, will be held in the country from November 30 to December 11, 2019.

The New Clark City Sports Complex includes a 20,000-seat athletics stadium, a 2,000-seat aquatic center with an Olympic-size pool, and seven buildings that can house athletes and officials during sports events.

Go said the prompt construction of the sports complex is proof that the current administration is serious in its goal to accelerate infrastructure in the country.

“Isang patunay itong New Clark City Sports Complex na tapat si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kaniyang hangaring umarangkada ang imprastruktura sa bansa at malinang ang kakayahan ng sambayanang Pilipino,” the Senator said. (This sports complex shows the true intent of the President in accelerating his infrastructure program and pushing for the capabilities of Filipinos to shine.)

Go revealed that the President himself would grace the coming international sports event.

“Si Pangulong Duterte po ang mangunguna sa opening ng SEA Games on November 30,’’ he said. (President Duterte himself will formally open the SEA Games on November 30.)

Go also said the Senate has been working on the proposed high school to be built in New Clark City.

“Isa ako sa mga author ng panukalang batas na naglalayong magtatag ng Philippine High School for Sports dito,” he said in a speech at the Sports Complex area. (I am one of the authors of bills seeking for the establishment of a Philippine High School for sports in this place.)

The former Special Assistant to President Duterte said he has coordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on this project and their response has been positive.

Go also congratulated in his speech the Filipino athletes who recently bagged gold medals in world championships, such as gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio.

He encouraged Filipino athletes to excel in coming competitions so that they would receive incentives under the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

During a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañang Golf Clubhouse last Wednesday, Go said President Duterte gave gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxer Nesthy Petecio, and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena P1 million each; P500,000 for boxer Eumir Felix Marcial; and P350,000 for weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

‘’Ang mga halagang yan ay para lang sa mga nakamit nilang medalya ngayong taon,” Go said. (These cash gifts are for the medals they won just for this year.)

These do not include those given by Philippine sports organizations, he added.

Go also expressed his willingness to help the athletes.