MANILA -- The Philippine Sports Commission on Saturday welcomed delegates of the 5th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMMS-5) on Sports and Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS-9).
The meetings, to be held from October 6 to 10 at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City, seek to strengthen the union among member countries and showcase the country’s commitment to developing sports in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) region.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez hopes to boost the country’s agenda in prioritizing sports for all with the members of the Asean as he welcomes His Excellency Sar Sokha, Cambodia; Mr. Phouvanh Vongsouthi, Lao PDR; Mr. Tan Wei Ming, Singapore; Ahmad Shapawi Bin Ismail, Malaysia; His Excellency Aminuddin Ihsan Pehn Dato HJ Abidin, Brunei-Darussalam; Mr. Mya Than Htike, Myanmar; Mr. Kumekawa Hirokazu, Japan; Ms. Le Thi Hoang Yen, Vietnam; and His Excellency Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand, heads of delegations respectively.
Pressing areas of discussion include the implementation of the regional projects and activities based on the Asean Work Plan on Sports for 2016-2020, the Asean bid for the FIFA World Cup, establishment of the e-Sports SEA Foundation, and the discussion of the decisions from the previous AMMS and SOMS meetings among others. The results of initial assessments for the Asean meetings plus Japan will also be given focus.
These important areas, along with other sporting concerns, are set in the five-day meeting.
“It will be a series of meetings set by the Asean secretariat themselves,” explained by PSC Executive Director Merlita Ibay, who serves as the point person for the whole undertaking.
In an initial meet-up with Asean Secretariat Representatives, Chandra Putra and Larasati Indrawagita, officials from the Education, Youth and Sports Division in June this year, preparations for this conclave was initiated, picking-up from issues and initiatives raised in the edition held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
Activities and conversations commence with the SOMS-9 on Monday (Oct. 7). Ramirez will lead the proceedings on Tuesday (Oct. 8) which sees the first-ever holding of the Asean plus Japan Meeting on Women and Sports. The same day also has the 2nd Asean Plus Japan SOMS in the afternoon.
The 2nd Asean Plus Japan Ministerial Meeting on Sports happens on October 9.
Delegates from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Southeast Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, UN Women, Asean Chess Federation, Asean Para Sports Federation, Asean Football Federation, and Right to Play Thailand Foundation will also participate.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez, presiding over the AMMS-5 conference with the assistance from the Asean Secretariat, looks forward to learning from member countries and also highlighting the Philippines initiatives for grassroots sports.
Members of Asean are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (PR)
