Basketball, football to attract Pinoy viewers in November SEA Games

GMA News

Basketball's return and football's popularity could attract Philippine television networks to finally broadcast the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) again to Filipino viewers.

Philippine chief of mission Chito Loyzaga said that one television network had met with them and discussed the possibility of airing of the 26th SEA Games in November in Palembang, Indonesia.

Loyzaga, who is also a Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner, added that Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) secretary general Steve Hontiveros has already inquired with the Indonesia SEAG organizing committee about the television coverage.

"I took the initiative and we are now preparing a letter through POC to the Indonesian organizers about the television coverage," said Loyzaga.

"It's a blessing that there is a lot of interest in sports right now. Maybe the return of basketball and football spurred up the interest," he added.

The 2009 SEAG and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games in China were not shown to Filipino homes for various reasons.

Philippine television networks found the 2009 Laos SEAG unattractive as basketball was scrapped from the calendar due to lack of a suitable venue in Vientiane, while paying a hefty sum of money for the broadcast rights.

While Pilipinas-Smart Gilas competed in the 2010 Asiad, it was also not aired in the country as well, because of the huge price of obtaining the broadcast rights.

But basketball, a sport closest to the Filipino's hearts, is back in the calendar of events with a predominantly collegiate squad led by Ateneo coach Norman Black looking to reclaim the gold medal the Philippines won in the 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand edition of the SEAG.

Another sport could also bolster the chances of a SEAG broadcast in the Philippines.

Football has received renewed interest after the Azkals’ performance in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, capturing the hearts of a predominantly basketball country.

The Azkals continue to rake in the support of many Filipinos after emerging victors against Mongolia in the recent AFC Challenge Cup, one game of which was held in Bacolod City.

Interest in football is expected to grow even more as the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka are slated to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 3.

Although the SEAG football competition is an Under-23 event, some members of the Azkals are still eligible to play, including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News