The Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) had been expected to make an announcement on the Games, scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 2, following a meeting yesterday.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino told Philstar the SEAGF would instead decide during the next meeting of its Council on July 8.

Officials in Vietnam earlier this month suggested a possible postponement of the Games until July 2022 because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in the region.

The New Straits Times reported the Games had been under threat following a surge in infections linked to the discovery of a potentially new variant of COVID-19 in the country.

Health officials in Vietnam said in May that the variant was a hybrid between those discovered in India and Britain.

According to Philstar, the Philippines are among the countries which are opposed to a delay to the Games.

Concerns over the fact athletes have not been able to train during the pandemic and securing the safety of the over 10,000 athletes, officials and other participants are among the reasons cited for the possible postponement.

A delay to 2022 would throw up several challenges for the organisers given the number of major events that are due to be held next year, including the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Forty sports are on the programme for the Southeast Asian Games.