Philippines may reap gains from SEA Games despite hiccups

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The government is spending over 7.5 billion pesos (S$202 million) to put together the 11-day event.

The build-up to the Games had been mired in controversy over allegations of spending irregularities, unfinished venues and poor treatment of athletes.

Social media was abuzz with images of visiting athletes sleeping on the floor or on airport benches, transport hiccups and handwritten fixture lists, shortage of drinking water and food unfit for athletes.

Clark, itself, will be the biggest winner. The former US airbase, two hours north of the capital Manila, is hosting the athletics and swimming events. A brand new track-and-field complex modelled after Singapore's National Stadium, an aquatics centre and an athletes' village were built there just for the Games....The government is building a 9,450ha "smart, green city" in Clark, with help from Singapore company Surbana Jurong.

In the short term, the biggest impact will be on tourism receipts. Tourism officials said the Games should generate at least 894 million pesos in revenue for hotels

Qns: 
1. Considering the money involved, should developing countries be allowed to host major sporting events? (Cam. 2016)
2. ‘There is no such thing as bad publicity.’ To what extent is this true? (Cam. 2015)
3. Hosting major sporting events creates more problems than benefits. Do you agree? (Cam. 2005)