The “no vaccine, no participation” policy was issued by the host Vietnamese during an online SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) meeting attended by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino last Tuesday. “Their policy is for the good of everyone,” said Tolentino, who has already written the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to prioritize the inoculation of SEA Games-bound delegates, especially athletes and coaches. “Most of the athletes from our Southeast Asian counterparts are already vaccinated and we’re the only country that is left behind,” Tolentino said. The Tagaytay Congressman and PhilCycling chief said he had advised national sports associations (NSA) to identify the athletes who will be prioritized for the vaccination program. Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero and Senators Francis Tolentino and Bong Go have also supported calls to prioritizing national athletes for vaccination.

Source: Philippine Star May 19, 2021 06:45 UTC