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Approaching Typhoon, Snafus Mar Southeast Asian Games

Associated Press

   CLARK, PHILIPPINES - An approaching typhoon is threatening to
   complicate the hosting by the Philippines of the largest biennial games
   in Southeast Asia, already marred by logistical foul-ups that the
   president vowed to investigate.

   President Rodrigo Duterte is set to welcome Saturday the first few
   thousand athletes, coaches and sports officials from the region in an
   opening ceremony to be lit by digital fireworks after nightfall in a
   huge indoor arena in Bocaue town north of Manila. The expected VIPs
   include Brunei leader Hassanal Bolkiah, whose son is a player on the
   sultanate's polo team.

   More than 8,000 athletes and officials were expected to fly in for the
   games, which began in 1959 in the Thai capital of Bangkok with just a
   dozen sports. In the Philippines, 56 sports will be featured in 529
   events, the largest number in the 11-nation competition so far, which
   will be held in more than 40 venues including in the traffic-choked
   capital of Manila.

   About 27,000 police have been deployed to secure the 11-day games.

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