MANILA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Wei Jizhong, the honorary life vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), said on Monday that China, which helps train Southeast Asian athletes, shares the victory of the winners of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
"We also win as one," Wei told a SEA Games news conference held in Manila, saying "the sports prepare a platform for all" especially the youths.
Wei said the sports become an arena not only for the young people or the people participating in the sports events but all the people of the world. "We all win as one," he added, referring the theme of this year's SEA Games "We win as one."
Wei also lauded the Philippines' hosting of the SEA Games, saying the Philippines "is capable to organize bigger games."
He said he was impressed by the "apologies issued" by the Philippines. Previously, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologized for "some problems" the country encounter at the beginning of the biennial regional multi-sport meet.
Duterte has apologized for the mishaps that dogged the sports event, including failure to fetch the arriving athletes at the airport and the food served in some of the hotels housing athletes, among others.
The country's House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who is the chairperson of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, also issued an apology for the snafus.
"To have some problems at the beginning of the games, in all the other events... it happens. But the apology of the president and the speaker [of] parliament... it is the first time," he said.
"It means the high authority is very keen to provide the athletes the best condition," Wei added.
Wei also lauded the 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan province on Saturday night.
"The opening ceremony, perhaps, is unique at the biggest indoor arena in the world. We saw the enthusiasm of all the athletes, you allowed all the athletes to walk in because in other Games they limit. The parade is for the honor of the athletes," Wei said.
The Philippines is host to the 2019 SEA Games which officially opened on Saturday and ends on December 11.
