Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said he supports the call by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the city to serve as a venue for Southeast Asian (SEA) Games competitions, scheduled to be hosted by the Philippines in 2019.

In a text message from Lacson, he suggested the mayor meet with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and discuss the issue.

He added, the provincial government is ready to put forward a resolution regarding the matter to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the SEA games organizing committee.

While Leonardia earlier identified his preferred sport would be football, saying it garners larger crowds, Lacson said boxing would also attract an audience.

Last month, Leonardia urged Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) partylist Representative Mark Sambar to push for the city’s possible hosting of the games.

Sambar, meanwhile, said the current cities chosen to host certain sporting events are Clark in Pampanga and cities throughout Metro Manila.

When the SEA Games were last hosted by the Philippines in 2005, Bacolod City served as host to boxing, football, weightlifting, and volleyball events./DGB, WDJ