Support the bid please.. We will have a serious campaign on this one... MANILA YOG 2014

( originally posted in http://pinoyolympics.blogspot.com/)

Lately, Singapore won the bid for the hosting of the first ever Youth Olympic Games. According to IOC President Jacques Rogge, the requirement is simple. The IOC Executive board has not imposed too many requirements as in the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Firstly, Singapore has never hosted any major sporting events except the Southeast Asian Games which then gives Manila (or the Philippines in general) an advantage if ever we pass a bid for the 2nd edition. If we look back, Manila hosted the 2nd Asian Games back in 1954, the 1034 Far Eastern Cahmpionship Games, 3 SEA Games editions, the Asian Women's Volleyball Club Championship and the ASEAN ParaGames.

Secondly, the Philippines is well-experienced in hosting international events that is why, it would not be hard for the country to organize such events. The Youth Olympics, as mentioned by the IOC aims to make use of existing facilities of the host city. Therefore, Manila does not need to construct new sports infrastructures but instead, make use of existing sports facilities of the government and universities. Besides, the government has announced its plan to counstruct a new sports complex in the Metro.

Thirdly, the Philippine youth has played a vital role in nation-building and is among the most liberal youths in the world. This event may be a great opportunity for them to develop their skills in organizing such events, achieve more in sports and socialize and interact with the other young people of the world.

Manila is not yet too late in announcing their intention to bid for the Summer Youth Olympics in 2014. The rumored bidders are Belgrade, host of the 25th Universiade, Moscow, finalist in the 2010 YOG Bidding and New Delhi, finalist in the 2014 Asian Games. 2014 is a long way away, by that time, we should have acquired the right amount of funds. The event may also be a preparation for the city in its future intentions to bid in the 2018 Asian Games and the 2024 Summer Olympics which gives us a considerable amount of time to prepare. By that time as well, we should have come up with a comprehensive bid that will bring the Youth Olympics home.