Myanmar SEA Games Closes With a Splash of Colours

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  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
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  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013
• 

  27th SEA Games Closing Ceremony

  Nawpyitaw, Myanmar, 21 December 2013

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MYANMAR UPDATED. The Myanmar SEA Games themed "Green, Clean and Friendly" came to colourul close at Wunna Theikdi Main Stadium here tonight. The arrival of Myanmar President, U Thein Sein, wife Daw Khin Khin Win and guets at the stadium were met with a fireworks display.

A large group of children who formed the 27th SEA Games logo got the closing ceremony underway.

The audience were entertained with cultural performances such as the elephant dance and the Myanmar traditional sport 'Chinlone.'

Also read : SEA Games Medals Report, 22 December 2013

The ceremony continued with the procession of athletes representing the 33 sports contested at the games held over 19 days.

The 33 sports are athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, billiards, bodybuilding, boxing, canoeing, chess, chinlone, equestrian, football, futsal, golf, hockey, judo, karate, kempo, muay thai, petanque, ping pong, rowing, snooker, swimming, sepak takraw, sailing, shooting, silat, taekwondo, volleyball, vovinam, weightlifting, wrestling and traditional boat racing.

The ceremony proceeded with lowering of the flag of the SEA Games Federation (SGF) and the flag of Myanmar as the host country.

The closing of the biennial games was officiated by Myanmar Vice President, U Nyan Tun.

The 11 participating countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam and Myanmar.

This is the third time Myanmar hosted the biggest sporting event in South East Asia after 1961 and 1969.

Malaysia's contingent of 556 athletes won 43 gold, 38 silver and 77 bronze medals to be placed fifth in the medals tally table.

Thailand were top with 107 gold, 94 silver and 81 bronze while hosts Myanmar were second place with 85 gold, 62 silver and 85 bronze.

Vietnam were third with 73 gold, 86 silver and 86 bronze while Indonesia were fourth with 65 gold, 84 silver and 110 bronze.

Singapore will host the 28th SEA Games in 2015 while Malaysia will host the 29th SEA Games in 2017. 
bernama.com

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Lawrence Wong: Preparations for 2015 SEA Games Underway

SINGAPORE UPDATED — The organisers of the 28th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Singapore in 2015 have entered a detailed phase of preparations, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong.

He also said that some 15,000 volunteers will be roped in for the event.

In just 18 months’ time, Singapore will play host to the region’s biggest sporting spectacle, and organisers will begin to announce details of the event from mid-February next year.

Information about the Games logo, theme and mascot will be released then.

Mr Wong also said that tenders for accommodation during the Games are already being evaluated.

Visiting delegations will be housed in hotels in the city, instead of a traditional Games village.

Mr Wong said that Singaporeans can learn from the hosts of this year’s event — Myanmar — in the way that their people embraced and took ownership of the Games.

He said: “For us, if we can have a (SEA) Games where all of Singapore comes together to cheer our athletes to support the Games, to be gracious hosts and to see the celebration of sports in Singapore in 2015, then I am confident that we will truly have a successful SEA Games.”

Mr Wong was in Myanmar to watch Team Singapore in action, and he feels that the overall medal tally achieved by Singapore athletes was good considering the smaller size of the contingent compared to previous SEA Games.

He was impressed by the surprise medals achieved in sports that Singapore is not traditionally strong in, adding that it augurs well for the 2015 edition.

He said: “Performance in the Myanmar SEA Games also shows we are getting depth in terms of our sporting teams, because we have young ones who are coming up and they are now entering the games and some are competing for the first time, and still doing very well.” 

CHANNEL NEWSASIA

SEA Games Highlights for Dec 21, 2013

Traditional Boat
Thailand finally broke through at traditional boat race on Saturday, winning gold in the men’s 20-crew 2000m race by 2 and a half seconds over silver medalists Myanmar.

The Thais finished the Nga Lite Dam course in 7 minutes, 32.275 seconds, Myanmar, which tried vainly in the last 250m to reel the roaring Thai boat in, ended in 7:34.705

Indonesia got bronze in 7:45.690.


But Myanmar, which has won the golds except one on each day of racing, paddled back onto the top of podium in the women’s 20-crew. The Myanmar women ended in 8:23.330, almost 3 and a half seconds ahead of silver medalists Indonesia. Thailand got bronze in 8:30.356.

In the regatta’s, and the 27th SEA Games canoe/kayak, rowing and traditional boat race, finale, Myanmar came from more than a boat-length behind at 1750m to haul in a surging Indonesia and win the mixed 20-crew gold medal by barely a dragon’s head. Myanmar paddled the 2000m in 7:44.167, silver winners Indonesia in7:47.200.

Thailand, just 2 seconds behind Indonesia, got bronze in the day’s, arguably the regatta’s, most thrilling race.

Hockey
In hockey at Hockey Field Yangon, Myanmar won the men’s bronze with a 3-1 victory over Thailand.
Malaysia devastated Singapore 9-0 to win the gold. Singapore got silver.

Judo In judo at Zeyarthiri Indoor Stadium, Zin Linn ung (MYA) got gold in the men’s 90kg, Horas Manurung (INA) got silver and Angelo Gabriel Gumila (PHI) and Yi Gabriel Yang (SIN) won bronzes.

At 100kg, Yan Naing Soe (MYA) won gold, Hao Dang (VIE) silver and Adwin Sumantri (INA) and Timothy Loh (SIN) got bronzes.

At 100+kg, Han Boon Ho (SIN) won gold, Saknarin Kaewpakdee (THA) silver and Muhammad Ruzaini Abdul Razak (MAS) bronze.

In women’s play at 78kgm Aye Aye Aung (MYA) got gold, Thi Nhu Y Nguyen (VIE) silver and Nor Izzatul Fazlia Mohamad Tahir (MAS) and Desii Yudiyanti (INA) bronzes.

At 78+kg, Thonthan Satjadet (THA) won gold, Khin Myo Thu (MYA) silver and Thuy Duy Tran (VIE) and Noor Asnida Abd Razak (MAS) bronzes.

Kempo In kempo at National Indoor Stadium, Yangon in randori, Almadi Almadi (INA) got gold, Ohke Botsavang (LAO) silver and Soe Moe Myint (MYA) and Kim Nguyen Nguyen (VIE) got bronzes.

Kumi embu gold went to Indonesia, silver to Timor-Leste and bronze to Laos.

At 48kg, Hong Ngoc Do (VIE) won gold, Dian Pertiwi Said (INA) silver and Sao Myat Thida (MYA) and Meme Gnoysaykham (LAO) took bronzes.

At 51kg, Anna Yunita Gelu (INA) got gold, Thuy Duong Nguyen (VIE) silver and Rachana Sovan (CAM) and Cecila (MYA) bronzes.

At 54kg, gold went to Cherry Faw (MYA), silver to Isna Suryani (INA) and bronzes to Thanh Thuy Huynh (VIE) and Boummy Sysombasth (LAO).

Women’s kumi embu gold was won by Vietnam. Indonesia got silver and Myanmar bronzes.

Muay In muay at Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex, Mohd Lokman Akimi Bin Mat Roji (MAS) got gold in the men’s 51kg. Ngo Trieu Nhat Nguyen (VIE) took silver and Somsay Sopaseuth (LAO) and Suriya Lamontree (THA) got bronzes.

At 54kg, Saw Dar Pot won gold, Phillip Delarmino PHI) silver and Bouaphan Phankeo (LAO) bronze.

At 57kg, Pisal Iamsiri (THA) got gold, Phu Hein Nguyen (VIE) silver and Yusuf Susilo (INA) and Ain Binn Kamarrudin (MAS) bronzes.

In women’s muay 48kg, HLa Yin May (MYA) took gold, Thi Quynh Bui (VIE) silver and Laty Keobounphanh (LAO) silver.

At 51kg, Yen Ly Bui (VIE) got gold, Grace (MYA) silver and Lattaya Alounbouala (LAO) and Sasithorn Liangprasert (THA) bronzes.

At 54kg, Preciosa Ocaya (PHI) won gold, Phithsaya Phoumchanh (LAO) silver and Suchaya Bualuang (THA) bronze.

At 57kg, Sirisopa Sirisak (THA) got gold, Thi Ngoc Linh Phan (VIE) silver and Zin Mar Khine (MYA) bronze.

At 60kg, Thi Ngoc Nguyen (VIE) kicked to gold, Thu Zar Han (MYA) got silver and Henni Lestari Pasaribu (INA) and Soutchay Silapheth (LAO) bronzes.

Volleyball In volleyball at Zeyarthiri Indoor Stadium, Thailand beat Vietnam in straight sets (25-16, 25- 20, 25 18) to win the 27th SEA Games women’s gold medal. The Vietnamese women got the silver.

In the later match, Thailand’s men’s prevailed 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-21) to win the gold over Indonesia, who got silver.

Taekwondo In Taekwondo at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium, Ramnarong Sawekwhiaree won the men’s 54kg gold. Francis Aaron Agojo (PHI) got silver and Aggieseftyan Prasbowo (INA) and Naing Dwe Shein (MYA) won bronzes.

At 87kg, Trong Cuong Nguyen (VIE) took gold, Sophal Mao (CAM) got silver and Maung Maung Co (MYA) got the bronze.

At 87+kg, Kristopher Robert Uy (PHI) won gold, Quang Duc Dinh (VIE) silver and Basuki Nigroho (INA) and Nattapat Tantramart (THA) bronzes. In women’s 46kg, Nway Nway (MYA) took the gold, Panipak Wongpattanakit (THA) got silver and Aghinny Haque (NA) and Mary Anjelay Pelaez (PHI) won bronzes.

At 73kg, Seavmy Sorn(CAM) won gold, Salvianna Angelia Jehabut (INA) got silver. Nurulain MD’Ja’afar (BRU) and Jane Rafaelle Narra (PHI) got bronzes.

At 73+kg, Kirstie Elaine Alora (PHI) got bronze.

In table tennis, at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium, Jian Zhan (SIN) won gold in men’s singles over Yien Dat Le (VIE). Richard Gonzales (PHI) and Clarence Zheyu Chu (SIN) won bronzes.

Mengyu Yu (SIN) the women’s singles ahead of Isabelle Siyun Li (SIN). Lee Wei Beh (MAS) and Hoang My Trsang Mai (VIE) got bronzes.
27seagames2013.com
 

Spectators Relatively Lessen in Present SEA Games

MYANMAR UPDATED. The number of spectators at the 27th SEA Games being hosted has taken a sharp drop after Myanmar Men’s Football Team has been eliminated from the group level after the last round of competition.
 
The Identification cards to enter the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw was being issued at No.4 Gate of the Stadium where much of the SEA Games sporting events were taken place. Before Myanmar Men’s Football Team was eliminated from competition, people were lining up to make the entrance card.

But over these last few days, there were many visitors who made entrance card and there were some line up to get entrance card. But after the Myanmar Men’s Football Team lost at the Group Match, those who made entrance cards were very few. Some locals and pilgrims visited the Ground,” said a security official at the No-4 Gate.

An entrance fee per person cost Ks 2500 but it is not entitled to closing ceremony and Football matches.

In the previous days, there were long queued for getting entrance tickets. But as the closing of the SEA Games is nearer, there are lesser people to get entrance tickets. May be it was because of long distance to get here or partly because of Myanmar Men’s Football Team saw off from the matches, said a souvenir shop owner in front of the Stadium.

Myanmar Men’s Football Team lost Indonesia Team at the Group level 1-0.

“I am taking my family to the SEA Games. After the Men’s football matches, I lost interest. The price for the closing ceremony ticket at the black market is very expensive and I don’t know where to buy the tickets,” said Myo Thant of Pyinmana who came to watch the SEA Games.
elevenmyanmar.com

Ayo Bawa Pulang. Emas SEA Games Masih 130an Medali

INDONESIA UPDATED. Perburuan tambahan medali emas SEA Games 2013 di Myanmar tinggal tiga hari hari lagi. Bahkan pada hari terakhir yang bertepatan dengan pesta penutupan hanya tinggal menuntaskan cabang olahraga sepak takraw saja.

Hingga Kamis (19/12/2013) sore kemarin, dari total 460 medali emas yang disediakan penyelenggara, sedikitnya sudah 328 medali emas yang telah terdistribusikan kepada para atlet-atlet pemenang lomba dan pertandingan. Sisanya kurang lebih tinggal 120-130 medali emas yang akan diperebutkan.


Harapan Indonesia untuk menambah medali masih ada pada beberapa cabang olahraga termasuk cabang Perahu Naga. Dari 37 cabang olahraga, sedikitnya 25 cabang olahraga sudah selesai digelar.
 
Persaingan perburuan tambahan medali emas yang masih berlangsung terjadi di cabang loncat indah, catur, sepak bola, hoki, judo, kempo, muay, petanque, sepak takraw, tenis meja, taekwondo, Perahu Naga, bola voli, dan vovinam.
tribunnews.com

Brunei National Team Arrive in Naypyidaw

BRUNEI UPDATED. The national SEA Games contingent is safely in Naypyidaw and ready to start their campaign in Myanmar.

Led by chef de mission Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani, the team arrived in Yangon on Monday and reached the country’s capital after a five-hour bus ride on Tuesday, according to yesterday’s daily report sent by the contingent’s secretariat.

The delegation - made up mostly of members from the national wushu team - were welcomed by officials from Brunei’s Embassy in Myanmar after arriving at the Athletes’ Village in Naypyidaw.

Brunei is sending a total of 61 athletes in 10 sports to Myanmar, all of whom will be based in Naypyidaw for the duration of the Dec 11-22 Games.

The country’s interest in the Games starts tomorrow when the duo of Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee YingShi compete in the duilian (duo sparring with broadsword and spear) event, a competition in which they have finished as runners-up in the previous two editions in Indonesia (2011) and Laos (2009)

Prior to boarding the bus to Naypyidaw, the wushu team – which is also made up of Ang Guat Lian and siblings Md Sufi Shayiran and Mohammad Adi Sya’rani Roslan – were able to get two hours of training under their belt in Yangon.

The wushu team also yesterday and hopes are high they will be able to secure Brunei a medal before Wednesday’s opening ceremony.

China's Technical Assistance to Help Myanmar Successfully Host SEA Games

MYANMAR UPDATED. China's provision of technical assistance to Myanmar is to help the country successfully host the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and strengthen cooperation and exchange between the two countries in culture and sports, a senior Chinese official said here on Tuesday.

The assistance would also enhance understanding and friendship between the two countries, Wang Shengwen, Director General of Department of Aid to Foreign Countries of Chinese Ministry of Commerce, told a press conference.

At the request of the Myanmar government, the Chinese side has undertaken the Technical Cooperation Project regarding the regional sports event.

"Assisting Myanmar in organizing the 27th SEA Games is a very important project for Chinese government. It shows the pauk-phaw friendship between the two countries," he said.

Noting that the project includes four parts -- athletes training, game management system, training and competition equipment, and opening and closing ceremonies, he disclosed that for athletes training, Chinese side has dispatched 28 coaches to work in Myanmar for one year, and invited 176 Myanmar athletes from 11 different sport events to receive a 90-day training in China.

For game management system, Chinese side developed a game management system software and leased game management system hardware and equipment to Myanmar.

In terms of opening and closing ceremonies, China assisted Myanmar to finish the ceremony design, provided or leased lighting and sound equipment, stage equipment, fireworks and wire,and provided training and competition equipment.

The Chinese side has dispatched about 700 experts including coaches, game managers, stage designers and technicians to Myanmar to work together with the working group from Myanmar relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Sport.

"Chinese coaches are cooperating well with Myanmar athletes and coaches. Myanmar national sports teams have finished the 90-day training in China. Stage directors from China and Myanmar are making
every effort to design memorable opening and closing ceremonies with Myanmar characteristics for the SEA Games," Wang said.

U Yan Naing Oo, director general of Fine Arts Department of Ministry of Culture of Myanmar, stressed that China's assistance in terms of technology and design for the SEA Games will not only highlight Myanmar's characteristics in the opening and closing ceremonies, but also reflect that of the region as a whole.

Myanmar Deputy Minister for Sport U Thaung Htike said through the technical cooperation project, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Myanmar-host SEA Games would be the best ever performance in the history of the regional event.

The 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA), which will be held in Myanmar from Dec. 11 to 22, feature 33 sports events and will be participated by 6,000 athletes from the region, including 1,000 from Myanmar that will take part in all 33 events.

The venues for the games are Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung, on the Bay of Bengal where sailing events will be held.

mizzime.com

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No Taking It Easy for Philippines SEA Games Quintet

PHILIPPINES UPDATED. There’s no such thing as a sure gold medal as far as the national basketball team bound for the Southeast Asian Games in Burma (Myanmar) is concerned. 

Basketball’s perennial title favorite knows all too well that overconfidence, even just a little of it, can spell disaster in the biennial meet. 

“We just can’t look past the teams there (in the SEA Games),” assistant coach Josh Reyes said at yesterday’s PSA Forum in Shakey’s Malate. “Whether we win by one point or 50, what’s important is we win the gold.” 

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit, who is close to recovering from a calf injury, and members of the Gilas cadet team banner the national squad skippered by Kevin Alas.

“We are expecting no less than a gold,” said Alas, who sprained an ankle recently. 

The team leaves for Nay Pi Taw today, along with the women’s team, which is looking to improve on its silver-medal finish in the 2011 Games in Indonesia. 

“We’re hoping to get the first gold in women’s basketball,” said Perlas Pilipinas coach Haydee Ong. “Everyone will be looking at us since we won the silver two years ago.” 

Perlas was close to taking the title then, but a lapse in judgment led to Thailand forcing overtime and eventually winning. 

“We’re using that loss (in Indonesia) as motivation,” said co-skipper Ewon Arayi. 

sports.inquirer.net

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Menpora Roy Suryo Lepas Kontingen SEA Games (Video)

Menteri Pemuda dan Olahraga (Menpora) Roy Suryo mengukuhkan sebanyak 621 atlet dari 33 cabang menjadi kontingen Indonesia di ajang SEA Games di Myanmar. Mereka akan berjuang dalam berbagai cabang olahraga untuk meraih prestasi terbaik, mempertahankan peringkat juara umum.

Perjuangan kontingen Indonesia bukan hal mudah. Sebanyak 125 medali emas harus direbut untuk jadi juara umum. Sejak 1997 hingga kini, Indonesia meraih predikat juara umum hanya ketika menjadi tuan rumah.

Simak video klik disini.

First Batch of SEA Games Bets Off Today

PHILIPPINES UPDATED. The first wave of Filipino athletes from wrestling, wushu and sailing will leave today for the 27th Southeast Asian Games set Dec. 11 to 22 in Burma (Myanmar). 

Double gold medalists Margarito Angana Jr. and Jason Balabal, the country’s flag-bearer during the opening ceremony, are bound for Yangon where the wrestling competitions will be held beginning Dec. 9. With them are fellow grapplers Joseph Angana, Alvin Lobrequito, Noel Norada and Jhonny Morte. 

Sanda fighters Daniel Parantac, Jessie Aligaga, Dembert Arcita, Francisco Solis, Divine Wally and Evita Elise Zamora will proceed to the SEA Games hub in Naypy-itaw where wushu unfolds on Dec. 6. 

Duilian performers John Keithley Chan, Natasha Enriquez, Kariza Kris Chan and Norlence Catolico will join them along with Chinese coaches Qinghai Tong, Quan Chan and Ma Qing. 

Sailors Richly Magsanay, Ridgely Balladares, Rubin Cruz Jr., Alaiza Mae Belmonte, Geylord Coveta and Renz Angelo Amboy will fly to Singapore at 7:30 tonight for an overnight stay before proceeding to Yangon the following day. 

From Yangon, they will leave at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 for Pathein, where sailing is scheduled on Ngwe Saung Beach from Dec. 13 to 20. 

“We’ve been preparing for months. Now bring home the gold,” chef de mission Jeff Tamayo told athletes, coaches and team managers in yesterday’s final orientation at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

 

Members of men’s and women’s basketball, boxing, women’s football and canoe kayak are scheduled to leave tomorrow. Athletes in pencak silat will leave on Thursday while those in badminton will depart on Friday. 

Athletes in billiards, mountain bike, rowing and shooting will leave on Dec. 7.

sports.inquirer.net

 

Vietnam Aims for 70-85 Gold Medals at SEA Games

VIETNAM UPDATED. The Vietnamese sporting delegation is expected to reach the top three of the medal tally at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar this December, said Hoang Vinh Giang, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Olympic Committee.

In a recent interview with a VOV reporter, Hoang Vinh Giang stated many popular Vietnamese sporting events, such as gymnastics and fencing are not listed in the competition schedule for the coming SEA Games.

He added that Vietnam also hoped to introduce its traditional martial art - Vovinam–at the region’s largest sporting event.

He expressed confidence that the games will provide an excellent opportunity for local athletes to hone their professional skills and gain experience from other regional competitors who  currently rank among the world’s top athletes in many events, including badminton, boxing, and table tennis.

According to Giang, the host team is likely to secure the highest position in the medal tally because many of the events in the games programme are geared towards their strengths, such as chess and sepak takraw.

Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are all viewed as strong competitors for the top three.

Myanmar has almost completed its preparatory work for the 27th SEA Games, with the addition of a brand new purpose-built village for athletes.

However, Giang did raise some concerns regarding travel at the games due to inconvenient domestic flights to two of the main competition venues, Naypyidaw and Yangon.
vov.vn

61 to Represent Brunei at SEA Games

BRUNEI will be sending a lean and mean team to the upcoming 27th SEA Games in Myanmar this month.

The Sultanate will be represented by a 101-member contingent, with 61 athletes, contesting in 10 sports at the December 11-22 biennial competition.

Brunei will participate in athletics, cue sports, cycling, football, karate, pencak silat, petanque, sepak takraw, taekwando and wushu.

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, handed over the national flag to the Chef de Mission of the national contingent, Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani, at the Green room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.

 

Hj Muhd Zamri, who was also the CDM for the 2009 edition in Laos, is hoping that the Sultanate will be able to top their tally from the previous edition.

The Sultanate finished at the bottom of the 11-team table with their haul of four silver and 11 bronze medals in Indonesia back in 2011.

“We are sending a larger contingent and I’m hoping that we will be able to perform better than the previous editions,” said Hj Muhd Zamri.

“It would be great to be able to win a gold medal before the opening ceremony. Our wushu athletes have more experience now and hopefully we will be able to win it this time,” he added.

The wushu event will begin next Friday and all eyes will be on the duo of Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee YingShi as they tackle the duilian (duo sparring with broadsword and spear) event.

They finished second best to Singapore in the previous two editions, losing out by 0.01 points in both.

Meanwhile, the Brunei contingent were also given a boost with the presentation of sponsorships from five companies Infotrek (B) Sdn Bhd sponsored a total of 227 neckties and 150 t-shirts while Insurans Islam TAIB and Darussalam Holdings provided 120 travel bags. 

Hongkiat Trading & Company provided sports supplements (Pharmaton) which are approved by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Last but not least, Superwater Marketing Sdd Bhd sponsored the team with 400 cartons of Rainfresh Water.

Abd Mutalif Tahir, manager of Infotrek (B) Sdn Bhd; Hj Osman Hj Mohammad Jair, managing director of Insurans Islam TAIB; Hj Mahmud Hj Mohammad, managing director of Darussalam Holdings; Rosnani Abdullah Shim, medical sales representative of Hongkiat Trading & Company and Pg Hjh Mariam Pg Bendahara Pg Muda Hj Hashim, Director of Superwater Marketing Sdn Bhd, handed over the sponsorships to HRH.

Also present during the event was Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The first batch of the contingent will depart tomorrow.

The Brunei Times

 

Obscure Sports Risk Ruining SEA Games

THAILAND UPDATED. The SEA Games risks decreasing in value with more traditional sports represented at next month's Myanmar tournament, Thai officials said yesterday.

Thailand has spent more than 300 million baht preparing its athletes for the Games, to be held Dec 11-22, and expects to claim more than 100 gold medals.

There are 460 gold medals up for grabs in 33 sports, including chinlone (a Myanmar's traditional sport similar to sepak takraw), vovinam (a Vietnamese martial art) and kempo, or kenpo (a cross-cultural martial art).

Sakol Wannapong, deputy governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said the biennial tournament may struggle to attract investment as the standard drops, along with its popularity.

"Some say that the Games is just to strengthen the relationships among the member countries," Sakol said.

"If so, we do not need to spend that sum of money. It costs a lot with a Thai athlete getting 900 baht per day in preparing for the Games. It is better to spend money on development."

Charoen Wattanasin, from the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, agreed there are too many sports at the Games.

"Among the gold medals, about 35 percent are from combat sports," he said. "Some of the sports, you've never heard of them before in your life."

Charoen suggested the Games could be improved by including more international sports, but acknowledged this was sometimes subject to political interference.

He was hopeful that the next Games, to be held in Singapore in 2015, would set a new precedent.

"Singapore could set the standard for the Games," he said.

"Among the 30 sports to be contested, 28 sports should be Olympic disciplines."

Earlier, Thana Chaiprasit, Thailand's chief of delegation, criticised Myanmar for dropping international sports such as tennis and gymnastics in favour of lesser-known disciplines.

"I don't think it makes for a fair Games," Thana said. "But, they are the host nation, so they can use the opportunity to choose what they want."

bangkokpost.com

SEA Games Team Boss: Let’s Break Barriers in Myanmar

MALAYSIA UPDATED. It was a gloomy day but it did not dampen the spirts of Malaysia’s SEA Games chef-de-mission Datuk Wira Amiruddin Embi.

The bubbly 66-year-old took time to fan the fire among the SEA Games-bound athletes at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex.

Among the athletes who were there included those from women’s football, archery, athletics, aquatics and weightlifting.

“I’m happy to see the commitment shown by our athletes in the final phase of training before the Games,” said Amiruddin, who completed his series of visit in the morning at the rain-soaked athletics track at Bukit Jalil.

“I encouraged the athletes to break barriers so that we can hear the national anthem many times in various stadiums in Myanmar. For now, I’m pleased that preparation is going on smoothly,” added Amiruddin, who is also the president of the Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU).

Rugby, however, is not one of the 33 sports contested in Myanmar.

A total of 556 Malaysian athletes will take part in swimming, athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, snooker and billiards, boxing, canoe, cycling, equestrian, football (including futsal), golf, hockey, judo, karate, rowing, sepaktakraw (chinlone), sailing, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wushu, bodybuilding, chess, muay, pencak silat, weightlifting and petanque.

Malaysia have set a modest target of 40 gold medals.

In the 2011 Games in Indonesia, Malaysia won 59 golds, 50 silvers and 82 bronzes to finish fourth overall and it was the country’s best achievement in SEA Games since winning 111 gold medals as the hosts in 2001 in KL.
thestar.com.my
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100 Percent Myanmar Ready for SEA Games 2013

Myanmar is “100 percent” ready for the Southeast Asian Games, a senior official said Friday, as the clock ticked down to the biggest sports event in the nation’s troubled history.

In a major test of Myanmar’s infrastructure and organisation, thousands of athletes, officials, media and visitors will descend for the 22-day multi-sport event starting on Sunday.

“We are 100 percent ready to hold the SEA Games,” sports ministry director Htay Aung told AFP.

“We are ready now. We held the final rehearsal of opening ceremony yesterday,” he added.

Htay Aung said 6,000 athletes and 3,000 journalists are due for the Games, which begin in low-key fashion with football preliminaries and floorball demonstration events on Sunday.

The event comes just two years after the former pariah state started making wide-ranging reforms in a sudden and unexpected opening-up to the outside world.

It does not formally get underway until the opening ceremony on December 11 at the 30,000-seat Wunna Theikdi Stadium in the newly built capital, Naypyidaw.

Nine thousand athletes and journalists alone are expected and “hundreds of thousands” of local fans will attend, Htay Aung said.

Vice President Nyan Tun has urged athletes to “strive for a golden age of Myanmar sports… improving the reputation of the country and making history to be regarded as sporting heroes”, according to a government release.

However, privately some officials are concerned about the preparations and potential problems, especially the number of hotel rooms to accommodate all the visitors.

“There are many things to be done even though many ministries are involved. Hotel rooms cannot be enough because many foreigners and many visitors will come,” a government official, who did not want to be named, told AFP.

“Ten of thousands of people will join the events. Hopefully everything can be done smoothly. Cooperation between ministries is very weak,” he confided.

A senior police official admitted: “Thousands of athletes and officials and also thousands of fans will come. Although we tried our best for security with enough numbers, I’m a little bit nervous.”

The SEA Games are not unfamiliar with problems. The last edition in Indonesia was hit by corruption and delays in construction, and a deadly stadium stampede at the men’s football final.

Myanmar is currently battling religious and ethnic tensions with unrest and bomb blasts in parts of the country in recent weeks.

Some 1,380 medals will be handed out in events ranging from mainstream sports such as athletics to the traditional but obscure Myanmar pursuit of chinlone.

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Menpora Berangkatkan Kontingen Indonesia ke Myanmar

INDONESIA UPDATED. Menteri Pemuda dan Olah Raga Roy Suryo beserta Komite Olimpiade Indonesia (KOI), hari ini (2/12), mengukuhkan dan melepas kontingen Indonesia untuk berjuang dalam SEA Games yang berlangsung di Myanmar 11-22 Desember 2013.

Indonesia dipastikan mengirim 908 orang ke Myanmar yang terdiri dari 621 atlet, 221 official dan pelatih, serta 66 pengurus. Mereka akan ikut serta di 33 cabang olah raga yang dipertandingkan dalam SEA Games Myanmar.

Para atlet yang ikut berjuang demi negara dan bangsa itu telah ditetapkan sebagai peserta SEA Games oleh Komite Olimpiade Indonesia/Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KOI/KONI) di Jakarta, 27 November lalu.

Pemberangkatan kontingen ke Myanmar dilakukan secara bertahap. Pemberangkatan pertama pada 7 Desember diikuti 79 atlet dan seterusnya sesuai jadwal pertandingan. Seluruh kontingen akan kembali ke Tanah Air, 23 Desember 2013.

"SEA Games ini bukan hanya tanggung jawab atlet, KOI, Menpora, tapi juga tanggung jawab kita semua," tutur Menpora dalam acaa pelepasan kontingen di The Cone, FX Sudirman, Jakarta, Senin siang.

Pada kesempatan itu, Roy Suryo juga menyampaikan salam dari Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dan Ibu Ani Yudhoyono untuk kontingen Indonesia.

"Salam hangat dari bapak SBY dan Bu Ani yang tadi malam secara khusus menitipkan salam untuk kalian semua kepada saya. Isi pesannya adalah: Titip kepada para atlet, perjuangkan Indonesia, pertahankan gelar sebagai juara umum di SEA Games," ungkapnya.

Roy Suryo juga mengatakan dirinya berharap kontingen Indonesia membawa pulang lebih dari 120 medali emas. "Dari 33 cabang olahraga dan 460 medali, minimal raihlah 120 medali emas!" ujarnya kepada kontingen Indonesia dengan penuh semangat.
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SEA Games Football Tickets on Sale

Beginning on 27 November, tickets for SEA Games men’s football matches will be available online, and from 1 December onward can be purchased at football stadiums in Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyitaw and at 4 Digital sales centers in Yangon, according to U Sue Aung, the ticket sales manager and marketing director of the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF).

Ticket buyers will be required to present their national ID card at sales centers to be able to purchase tickets and there is a two-ticket limit per customer. All centers will only sell tickets for matches that will take place in that particularcity.

The MFF recently released the price list for seats at SEA Games matches and has received many complaints that they are unreasonably high. However, U Sue Aung maintains that the price of a match ticket is substantially lower than that those of other entertainment events.

“The price of concert admission is at least 6,500 kyats, nearly double what we are asking,” he said. “If you think of a football match as an entertainment, it is the cheapest entertainment you can find. People think the prices of the tickets are high because they are probably comparing them to the prices of tickets for local games.”

A first-class seat at a SEA Games football match will cost a fan 4,000 kyats, and general admission seats start at 2,000 kyats. Tickets for a semi-final or final match begin at 3,000 kyats.

Matches commence on 7 December.

Khairy Jamaluddin: No Great Expectations for SEA Games

REALISTIC: Official target of 40 gold medals set for Myanmar Sea Games
AN  official target of 40 gold medals has been set for the national contingent heading to next month's Myanmar Sea Games.

Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who met with Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) officials and Sea Games team managers in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, said the figure was realistic, considering the various factors involved.

To date, 579 athletes from 29 sports have been confirmed to compete in the biennial event.

"Based on evaluations done by the National Sports Council, OCM and the national sports associations (NSA) involved, the target for the Sea Games this year is 40 gold medals from the 217 on offer," said Khairy.

"We have to moderate our expectations for this edition as a number of sports are not being included this year.

"In total, 28 gold medals that we have won before (in Indonesia) are not on offer at these games and had to be removed from our target."

Sports that have been earmarked to deliver gold are swimming (3), diving (8), road cycling (1), weightlifting (1), football (1), hockey (2), muay (1), karate (6), archery (3), shooting (1), athletics (5), sailing (2), silat (3) and wushu (3).

NSC previously set a target of 40 to 45 gold at the 2011 edition in Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Malaysia went on to win 59 gold, 50 silver and 82 bronze to fall just short of a separate 60-gold medal target set by the NSAs.

Events that contributed gold in Indonesia but are not part of the Myanmar edition are aquatics (8), track cycling (7), fencing (2), shooting (2), tenpin bowling (5) and water-skiing (4).

Khairy added that security in Myanmar is not a problem at the present, but it is being constantly monitored.

He also voiced his preference for athletes to travel straight to Naypyitaw by air.

"So far, our preparations for the Games are going on as usual and there have been no changes to our programme.

"We are constantly monitoring the situation in Myanmar via information from the (Myanmar) authorities and various other sources.

"If possible, I want our athletes to fly straight to Naypyitaw without having to travel by road from Yangon.

"However, that depends on the outcome of my discussion with our national carriers."
New Straits Times
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