The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) expressed frustration over the cancellation of the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Thailand.

"It’s frustrating, but we’ll have to move on," Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino said on Tuesday, August 20, in a news release.

Tolentino said that Filipino athletes have been preparing and focusing on the multi-sports event scheduled to run from November 21 to November 30 prior to the cancellation.

The POC chief hoped to surpass the two gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals that the Philippines won in the 2017 AIMAG held in Turkmenistan.

"But there is no wasted time and effort as far as our athletes are concerned because they remain in top form and there are other international competitions that they could focus on," Tolentino assured.

In a letter dated Monday, August 19, National Olympic Committee of Thailand Vice President Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat announced the cancellation of the 6th AIMAG.

"Please accept my sincere apologies. Despite numerous efforts to advance discussions with the pertinent parties and the OCA, these endevors have regrettably led to this unsatisfactory conclusion," Siriwat said in the letter.

Siriwat described the cancellation of the 6th AIMAG as an 'unfortunate lesson for Thailand'.

"While recent shifts in government, including subsequent cabinet reshuffles at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and changes in the government funding initially designated for the Organizing Committee, have undeniably impacted the preparations, these factors do not justify the cancellation of the event," Siriwat stressed.

"It is very disappointing that the reasons for such a significant decision are not sufficient to warrant the discontinuation of our plans," added Siriwat, who also serves as Vice President of OCA for the 6th AIMAG.