Philippines NOC identifies three training camps for 2021 SEA Games

The Philippines will be defending the crown of overall SEA Games champions in Hanoi this November. © ABS-CBN
The Philippines will be defending the crown of overall SEA Games champions in Hanoi this November. © ABS-CBN

Manila, Philippines, April 21, 2021: The cities of Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay and Taguig have agreed to host training camps of national athletes who will compete in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam this November, ABS-CBN News reports.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino announced the development on Tuesday, April 20 - a week after SEA Games Chef de Mission Ramon Fernandez had called on local government units to adopt national teams by hosting training camps.

“I called on some of my friends, mayors and governors, who are willing and who have passion,” Tolentino said in an appearance on the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

“There are three cities who will be hosting the ‘bubble’ training of Vietnam-bound athletes. They are Sta. Rosa, which has agreed to host around 50 athletes; then, Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano agreed to host volleyball and table tennis," he explained. "Tagaytay will host cycling and kickboxing."

Sta. Rosa is likely to host combat sports teams including wrestling, karate and judo.

Training in Sta. Rosa, Taguig and Tagaytay will start on July 1 and will last until November, Tolentino said. 

Clark, which served as a venue for the 2019 SEA Games, will also be used by track and field athletes and swimmers.

The 2021 SEA Games is set for November 21 to December 2 in Hanoi and neighbouring cities and provinces.