Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chairperson Allan Peter Cayetano and Pocari Sweat representative Yoshihiro Bando shake hands after signing sponsorship agreement on Monday (March 25, 2019) at the Kalayaan Hall of SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros)
MANILA -- Sports drink Pocari Sweat has joined the growing list of companies lending support to the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Pocari Sweat will serve as the Games' official rehydration isotonic drink, following the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Otsuka Pharmaceutical and the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) on Monday at the Kalayaan Hall of SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Yoshihiro Bando, president of PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka, and PHISGOC chairperson Allan Peter Cayetano, signed the agreement in a ceremony witnessed by Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Patrick Gregorio, and Marc Edward Velasco, senior executive assistant of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.
"This is the first time that our product will be involved in the SEA Games and we are happy to be a part of the biggest tournament in the region," Bando said.
Pocari Sweat is a regular partner of the Asian Games since the brand was launched in the 80s.
Cayetano welcomed Pocari Sweat to the growing list of companies supporting the SEA Games, which the Philippines will host for the fourth time from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.
"The continuous outpouring of support from different multinational companies boots our confidence that we can overcome all the challenges to deliver the best SEA Games ever," Cayetano said.
"The entry of Pocari Sweat will provide a big boost to our commitment to achieve our goals and tasks," Cayetano added.
Cayetano, earlier, assured that preparations for the biennial tournament are in full swing.
Pocari Sweat is the eighth sponsor of the SEA Games after the Philippine Airlines (official carrier), Atos (games management system), GL Events, Grand Sport, Asics (official outfitter of the Team Philippines), Mikasa, Molten and Marathon.
With 56 sports and 523 events at stake, the 30th SEA Games is touted to be the biggest in the tournament’s history and will be held in Clark (Pampanga), Subic (Olongapo), Tagaytay (Cavite) and Metro Manila.
At least 10,000 athletes from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor Leste, Thailand, Vietnam and host Philippines will compete in the 12-day sports meet. (PNA)
