Carrasco embraces huge challenge
TOM Carrasco accepts the challenge of spearheading the country’s hosting of the 1st Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games and the 7th Asian Beach Games in 2027 and 2028.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF TRAP
Veteran sports official Tom Carrasco is facing a huge challenge after being formally appointed as chief of the 1st Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games and the 7th Asian Beach Games that the country will host in 2027 and 2028.
In a telephone interview on Friday, the longtime Triathlon Association of the Philippines president admitted that coming up with a smooth hosting will not be easy but he is ready for the challenge with the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and other members of the working team.
No less than POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced Carrasco’s appointment as new president and chief executive officer of the SEA Plus Youth Games and the Asian Beach Games during the general assembly meeting at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Pasay City on Thursday.
He will take over from Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is still being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation for his involvement in the alleged financial irregularities and unliquidated expenses during the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
“As the Philippines gears up for its monumental hosting of the 1st Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games and the 7th Asian Beach Games, the Philippine Olympic Committee is proud to announce the official appointment of Mr. Tomas Carrasco as the events’ new president/CEO,” the local Olympic council said in a social media post.
“With his decades of proven experience and deep dedication for the national sports program, Mr. Carrasco is perfectly positioned to spearhead the local organizing committee and deliver a masterclass hosting experience for the region’ rising stars.”
Carrasco expressed his gratitude to the POC, saying that he will make sure that the country’s hosting will be world-class.
“This is a big challenge,” Carrasco, who is no stranger to organizing international multi-sports tournament, said.
“But I am confident that we can deliver because of the support of both the POC and the PSC. I also have a good working team behind me. I’ll just continue what they started and make sure to address what needs to be done right away.”
True enough, hosting the back-to-back events will not be easy.
Featuring athletes 16 years old and under from Southeast Asia and other guest countries like Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Chinese Taipei, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, the SEA Plus Youth will be held for the very first time with no proven template.
The inaugural edition will have 23 sports, including centerpiece athletics and aquatics, and will be held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila City, SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, New Clark City in Tarlac and selected venues in Subic, Pasig City and Tagaytay City from 2 to 14 December next year.
The Asian Beach Games, on the other hand, will feature athletes from 45 countries who will vie in 24 disciplines, including water sports, beach sports and martial arts. It is set to be held at the South Road Properties and SM Seaside City Complex in Cebu from 7 to 16 March 2028.
“This is important. It has been a long time since we last hosted an Asian-level event, so this is it,” Tolentino said, referring to the event that will be held in cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia headed by Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.