International representatives for athletics and swimming in the upcoming 30th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) lauded the world-class Athletics Stadium and Aquatics Center built in New Clark City, as well as the technology and equipment used in the new facilities.

Ibrahim Fadil Naddeh, international representative for swimming and secretary of the Swimming Technical Committee of Asian Amateur Swimming Federation (AASF), cited the quick construction of the sports facilities in just 18 months.

“This took only one year and [six] months to complete, from the time we started construction, and for me, this is Guinness Book of World Records [quality],” he said, adding that athletes can do “proper training and proper competition” with the Aquatics Center.

The Aquatics Center features a 10-lane competition pool, eight-lane training pool, and a diving pool with a five-meter maximum depth. National athletes who competed in the 1st Philippine National Open Swimming Championships held last weekend in New Clark City said the competition pool was a “fast pool.”

Valson Cuddikotta, international representative for athletics, said the Athletics Stadium is “advanced and has come out very well.” “I only see mountains there when I came 2 years ago. But now, I see a world class athletics venue.”

“If you have an opportunity, please visit the venue. It has come out so well… And I must say they can conduct any event of the highest magnitude in this New Clark City stadium they have constructed,” he said.

“Equipment-wise, they have chosen the best equipment. And the timing and scoring equipment are world-class,” Cuddikotta said.

The Athletics Stadium features a nine-lane world-class track and field facility, an indoor track, has a 20,000-seating capacity, and meets the standards of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The new sports facilities were built by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its joint venture partner, MTD Clark, Inc., as part of the National Government Administrative Center or Phase 1A of New Clark City.

Aside from hosting the athletics events, and swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming competitions, New Clark City will also be the venue of the SEA Games Closing Ceremony on December 11.