An estimated 9,840 athletes are expected to compete in the games with the main venues to be held at the Philippine Arena and New Clark City Athletics Stadium. #SEAGamesinconvenience

The Myanmar football teams reportedly complained of the delayed arrival of the shuttle that will take them to their hotel and the cramped minibus that transported them from the airport. (AFN)

Malacañang on Sunday apologized for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by athlete-guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar and Cambodia following their arrival to the country for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

“The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“What is more important and more pressing is Phisgoc has committed to do better in ensuring proper coordination from the arrival of the athletes to their transportation and hotel accommodations,” Panelo said, referring to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee which is managing the 2019 SEA Games.

Panelo said they understand the Phisgoc has already apologized to the athlete-guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar and Cambodia for the inconvenience they experienced when they arrived in the country.

He said incidents of delays in transport and checking-in at hotels happen in international events by reason of the number of countries and athletes involved and they can no longer undo what has been done.

Panelo said despite the inconvenience suffered by some of foreign athletes, there were no report of any incident jeopardizing their safety and their health.

“We are not promising that the Games will run without a hitch, given the countless athletes who will participate and represent their respective countries, but we will exercise due diligence in making sure everyone will have a pleasant, productive and memorable stay in the Philippines,” the Presidential Spokesman said.

“We wish all the participating athletes good luck and look forward to their excellent and hopefully world record breaking performances!” he added.

An estimated 9,840 athletes are expected to compete in the games with the main venues to be held at the Philippine Arena and New Clark City Athletics Stadium.