At A Glance
- There are still a few days left before the 6th Asian Beach Games come to a close here but the excitement for the next one is already palpable, especially for the Philippine delegation.
SANYA, China — From China’s southernmost haven to the Philippines’ Queen City of the South.
There are still a few days left before the 6th Asian Beach Games come to a close here but the excitement for the next one is already palpable, especially for the Philippine delegation.
That, after the Philippines’ hosting of the 7th Asian Beach Games in 2028 in Cebu has finally become official following the contract signing ceremony at the Sanya Conifer Resort on Monday, April 28 here.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino along with Olympic Council of Asia President His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani signed the deal with the Philippine delegation providing a short teaser of what to expect from the beautiful island of Cebu.
Tolentino expressed his excitement especially that it would be the first time since 1954 that the country would be hosting an OCA-sanctioned event.
“Matagal na tayong hindi nag-host ng OCA event, [and this is] part of government's tourism, sports tourism program. So this is it. Excited? Talaga. Headache? Hindi naman siguro,” Tolentino quipped.
“Sanay na tayong mag-host, yung [local organizing committee]. Preparations [are happening], both events, meron na tayong logo, mascot, but we will announce it in a scheduled coordination meeting. That will be in June, this coming June,” he added, also tackling the country’s hosting of the SEA+ Youth Games in December 2027.
Tolentino said the POC has not finalized the sports and events that will be included in Cebu although he assured that everything will be held by the beach and showcase the beauty of the scenic coastlines of Cebu.
“Yun ang pino-propose ko nung meeting namin kahapon. Kung basketball, okay, hindi sa buhangin pero open. By the beach, open. Larong kalye tayo. Hindi na sa loob,” Tolentino said as the 3x3 basketball of this year’s edition was held inside the Sanya Gymnasium.
“So yung iba, nasa beach talaga. Wrestling, kurash, sambo, etc. What else? Dapat walang bubong. Even sports climbing.”
The Cebu Beach Games will be held in March to ensure that the competitions will have favorable conditions.
“Walang bagyo yun, March. Ang init nun. Talagang sa buhangin (tayo),” he said.