The Vice President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Timor Leste Vicente Carvalho da Silva, is glad to hear that the Philippines is also cheering for his country to win a medal for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Since the SEA Games started three days ago, Timor-Leste is not yet getting a single medal in the SEA Games which made some Filipinos worry.
The blog “Usap Usap University” told Silva that Filipinos are sharing the flag of Timor-Leste “thousands of times on Facebook” and asked the former on his opinion about the support they’re being received from the citizens of the host country of 30th SEA Games.
According to Silva, he’s happy for the hospitality shown by the Philippines to Timor-Leste.
“I am very happy for your help,” De Silva said who’s also the chef de mission of Timor-Leste for SEA Games.
“All of the Philippines’ hospitality for my country, Once again thank you very much for your help,” he added.
A few days ago, Timor-Leste has gone viral on social media after Filipino netizens started to cheer them after seeing them that they’re the only country participated in the 30th SEA Games that fail to get a single medal.
Netizens pointed out that SEA Games is about unity and not about having competition with each other that’s why they’re also cheering for Timor-Leste to finally have a medal.
“I’m a Filipino by heart and soul… I support my Filipino Athletes.. but one thing that captures my heart, its the fighting spirits of Timor-Leste (East Timor) that really showcase the true sportsmanship even without the medals, I admire they’re desire and passion to still play continuously,” netizen Wilven Allere said.
“Together with the thousands of Filipino sports fans, We/I salute #TIMORLESTE Athletes and all those delegates & athletes from the 10 SouthEastAsia countries who compete with their heads up high and without complaints and play with their big hearts with a smile,” he added.
As of December 4, 2019, Timor Leste is in the last place, while the second to the lowest Lao PDR already got 6 bronze medals.
Timor-Leste is the newest member of the SEA Games, only debuted in 2003, one year after it gained its independence.
In the 2017 SEA Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Timor-Leste got a total of three medals.