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.” 

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Bronze on Singapore Young Lions’ Minds

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Following their 1-0 semi-final loss to Thailand in the SEA Games football competition, the Singapore Under-23 boys who did not play in Thursday’s match at Zeyarthiri Stadium took a morning practice session at the Lewe training field.

Several may fancy their chances of being named in the starting XI for the bronze-medal match tonight against Malaysia, with coach Aide Iskandar open to the possibility of blooding the bench-warmers, although he insists the final line-up is still under consideration.

According to him, it was still important for the Young Lions to return home with a medal and playing Malaysia will give the players extra motivation. Only five days ago, the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw in their Group A match. And both teams will need to shrug off the disappointment of losing their semi-finals to contest for the minor prize.

Said Aide: “The players don’t want to have travelled all the way here to go home empty-handed.

“They are still feeling a bit down from losing to Thailand, but they will need to shrug that off and start feeling the hunger again for a medal.”

Ong Kim Swee’s Harimau Muda will arguably be more fatigued, as this game will be their fifth match in eight days — it showed in their lethargic loss on Thursday to Indonesia on penalties.

As Ong told TODAY: “Singapore have the advantage because we have just finished a mentally-sapping game against Indonesia that went into extra time and penalties ... It’s a question of who is hungrier for the bronze, but I will remind my team that pride is at stake.”

Apart from minor knocks, Aide should be able to field his strongest line-up against Malaysia, although striker Shahfiq Ghani’s place could be under threat. The 21-year-old has had a dismal campaign, failing to reproduce his Malaysian Super League form when he scored six goals for the LionsXII. 

That could mean a second start in Myanmar for 20-year-old Iqbal Hussain, or a reshuffle in the line-up to give the Young Lions more bite up front.

While Aide conceded that Shahfiq has not shown up at this tournament, he refused to confirm the forward’s selection for the bronze-medal tie. “I don’t want to give the game away as I’m sure Ong Kim Swee would also want to win this one,” he said.

Beating Malaysia tonight will mean a repeat of the bronze-medal win from the 2009 Games. The Young Lions failed to advance from the group stage at the 2011 Games. 

Football: Malaysia vs Singapore SEA Games Report

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore’s footballers ended their SEA Games campaign with a bronze medal after defeating Malaysia on Saturday evening in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

It might not have been the colour they wanted to come home with, but Aide Iskandar’s charges will be happy to have finished their campaign with victory following a limp 1-0 defeat to Thailand in the semi-finals two days earlier.

A late free-kick from their Causeway rivals had denied Singapore a win when they met earlier in Group A, but there was to be no repeat of that 1-1 result the second time round.

Ong Kim Swee’s charges, who crashed out to Indonesia on penalties in their semi-final, had started brightly in front of the 2,000-odd supporters at the Zeyar Thiri Sports Stadium.

D. Saarvindran curled a free-kick wide before Nazmi Faiz slammed a 30-yard drive past the post, with the latter then shooting straight at Izwan Mahbud in the seventh minute.

But the Young Lions took the lead with their first attack. Gabriel Quak, who came in for his first start of the tournament, beat his man on the right and skipper Hariss Harun earned a corner after coming over to help out.

From Zulfahmi Arifin’s resulting delivery, goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi fumbled his catch and Hariss was johnny-on-the-spot to easily tap home the loose ball in the 13th minute.

Just one minute later, Hariss grabbed his second.

The midfielder, playing in an advanced role behind sole striker Sahil Suhaimi, timed a late run into the box perfectly to knock home a left-wing cross from the latter and stun the Malaysians in a double whammy.

Izwan pushed Saarvindran’s curler behind in the 20th minute before comfortably gathering Hazwan Bakri’s attempt from range on the half-hour, but the Malaysians were held at bay with a degree of comfort as they trailed at the break.

Rozaimi, who scored the equaliser in that first match, was brought on in the 51st minute as Malaysia upped the firepower but it was Singapore who threatened more.

Quak saw two efforts saved by Izham and Hafiz Sujad rocked the bar with a piledriver, with the former then lashing another shot over before Sahil wasted a two-on-one break with a poor final ball.

Malaysia made them pay past the hour mark when Afiq Yunos’s headed clearance fell to Thamil Arasu in the box, who was left unmarked to volley the ball into the bottom corner.

Singapore’s profligacy threatened to haunt them as the tide turned, with the yellow shirts looking increasingly dangerous.

Thamil, who was more of a menace in the second half, lashed a fierce strike from a narrow angle not far wide before setting up Nazmi for a volley that was hit straight at Izwan, as Malaysia pushed hard for an equaliser.

Another breakaway was wasted by Singapore when Sahil sprinted clear and beat Izham with his cross, but no team-mate kept up with him.

It was all hands to the pump as Malaysia piled on the pressure in the dying minutes, but it was to no avail.

Izwan was forced to clutch on to another low effort in added time and the custodian was left rooted as Saarvindran’s half-volley flew centimetres wide, leaving the winger clutching his head in disbelief.

That was the last chance for Malaysia as Singapore clung on for victory, perhaps redeeming themselves in part by bagging the bronze over the defending champions.

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Hariss hits brace as Singapore win bronze
The Young Lions captain scored twice in two minutes to stun the Malaysians as they survived a late onslaught from the defending champions to clinch third place. (Photo)
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Thais Take Football Gold With 1-0 Win Over Indonesia

THAILAND UPDATED. Thailand beat Indonesia 1-0 to take gold in the men's under-23 football final at the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar on Saturday.

A clever finish by forward Sarawut Masuk on 21 minutes was enough to hold off the hard-working Indonesians -- who were runners-up and silver medalists for the second tournament in a row.

Singapore earlier took bronze after beating defending champions Malaysia 2-1.

The Thais went into the final as hot favourites after trouncing the Indonesians 4-1 in the group stage and going unbeaten for the whole tournament.

But there was to be no repeat of that cake walk in an absorbing, tight encounter.

The Indonesian midfield recovered from a cagey start to take control of the game, but the side lacked conviction in the final third allowing the Thai defence to easily mop up attacks.

For all their endeavour it was the Thais who struck first.

The deadlock was broken on 21 minutes as Thailand's Sarawut Masuk cut through the Indonesian backline with a one-two before chipping the ball exquisitely over the advancing goalkeeper.

Thereafter Thailand appeared content to absorb pressure and launch the occasional counter-attack.

While Indonesia huffed and puffed they carved few clear chances, although the industrious Ramdani Lestaluhu clipped the outside of the post on 75 minutes after a melee in the goal area.

At the final whistle the delighted Thai bench streamed onto the pitch to celebrate with their teammates, while the inconsolable Indonesians sunk to the turf at Naypyidaw's purpose-built Zayar Thiri Stadium.
It was the second narrow SEA Games loss for the Indonesians, who fell on penalties at home to Malaysia in the 2011 final.

The result gives the Thais gold for the first time since 2007.

It also secured a double gold for Thai football after the women's team overcame Vietnam in the final on Friday.

Fiercely contested but little known outside the region, the SEA Games are held every two years, giving athletes from lesser sporting nations a chance of medal glory.

Myanmar's hosting of the Games has been seen as a 'coming out' party for the former junta-ruled nation as it undergoes sweeping reforms.

Thailand leads the medals table with 106 golds with one day of competition to go while the hosts are in second on 84 golds.

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Thailand's Praweenwat Boon Yong celebrates after scoring a penalty for a 1-0 lead against Singapore in the football semifinal during the 27th SEA Games in Naypyidaw's Zeyar Thiri Stadium, Myanmar, on Dec 19, 2013. -- Photo: Kevin Lim
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Singapore Sailors Bag 5 Golds, 2 Silvers & 5 Bronzes

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore's sailors have clinched at least four titles at the ongoing SEA Games, held at the Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar.

The team's Optimist sailors made a comeback after losing the team title to Thailand earlier in the week, taking both the individual titles. Edward Tan bagged the boys' trophy while Fathin Rasyiqin won the girls' event.


Elizabeth Yin won the Laser Radial, a one-person Olympic-class dinghy, while Kimberly Lim and Savannah Siew were untouchable in the girls' 420 class.

Cecilia Low and Priscilia Low are also ranked first in the women's 470 class and will go on to win the gold if the protest is dismissed.

A total of 13 titles were up for grabs at the biennial event.

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Singapore's Optimist sailors consisting of (from left) Raynn Kwok, Edward Tan, Bertha Han, Isaac Tang, coach Fernando Alegre and Fathin Rasyqin Firdaus. The team has clinched at least four titles at the ongoing SEA Games, held at the Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar on Friday, Dec 20, 2013. -- Photo: Singapore Sailng
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Singapore Beat Malaysia 2-1 to Clinch Football Bronze

SINGAPORE UPDATED. A two-minute brace by Hariss Harun against Malaysia gave Singapore's football team a bronze medal at the Myanmar SEA Games on Saturday.

Singapore won bronze after defeating Malaysia 2-1.

Hariss bundled home his first goal with 13 minutes gone, after the Malaysian goalkeeper fluffed his lines at a corner.

The 23-year-old then struck his second goal moments later, following great work down the flanks by Sahil Suhaimi.

Malaysia stepped up after the break and pulled one back after a defensive blunder by Afiq Yunos.

The Tigers could even have levelled at the death, but Izwan Mahbud was alert to the danger.

Singapore held off further attacks to clinch bronze, and give Malaysia their first normal time defeat in 15 SEA Games outings.

Head coach for Singapore U-23s Aide Iskandar said the achievement means little consolation for missing out on the gold, but plans are in place to achieve gold in 2015.

He said: "I believe that with good preparation, we can look forward to a good tournament.

"I think from now on, with this bronze medal, I believe that we should be working towards getting our first gold, because that is the only medal that we have not achieved at this point in time."

Singapore Earn Football Bronze After 2-1 Win Over Malaysia

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore's men's football team clinched the bronze medal at the South-east Asia (SEA) Games in Myanmar, after beating rivals Malaysia 2-1 in their third-place play-off match on Saturday.


A quickfire first-half double by Singapore captain Hariss Harun gave the Young Lions a perfect start, before Malaysia pulled one back through Thamil Arasu.

With this football bronze, Team Singapore's tally for this SEA Games stands at 34 golds, 29 silvers and 45 bronzes.
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Tired Canoeists' Fire 'Not Strong'

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapor's canoeists bagged their second gold at the SEA Games yesterday through the K2 200m duo of Suzanne Seah and Stephenie Chen.

But after three gruelling days, the team left the Ngalike Dam in quiet disappointment after failing to better their previous two gold, three silver, one bronze showing at the 2011 Games, or hit their target of three golds. Their 2013 campaign ended with a 2-2-2 tally.

However, coach Balazs Babella refused to fault his team, saying that they had given their best. The Hungarian explained that he had expected too much of them throughout the year - which has led to mental fatigue.

Midway through their Games campaign, he noticed that his charges looked tired and that the "fire" they had displayed in previous competitions was missing.

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Stephenie Chen (right) and Suzanne Seah paddling their way to gold in the women’s K2 200m at Ngalike Dam yesterday – doubling their haul after winning the 500m race the day before. - Photo : Kevin Lim
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Team Singapore's Home Away From Home at SEA Games

In the same way that Myanmar's capital city of Naypyidaw is sprawled out over lush greenery, the SEA Games' Athletes Village is also a collection of two-storey blocks dotted sparsely over an expansive countryside.

While some Games villages comprise densely-packed flats that resemble Singapore's condominiums, like that at last year's London Olympics, this version is grouped into 10 clusters of blocks flung out across a hilly terrain.


A three-minute shuttle bus ride takes one from the main gate to the cluster where Team Singapore are staying.

The athletes are housed in five blocks of eight rooms, with each room containing six beds. The beds are occupied on a rotational basis since some athletes compete earlier and depart by the time the later batch arrives.
straitstime.com

Bronze After 34-Year Drought for Singapore Men's Basketball Team

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore are assured of their first SEA Games medal in men's basketball since earning bronze in the 1979 Jakarta Games.

That 34-year wait ended when they thrashed hosts Myanmar 89-52 in their final round-robin game at the Zayyathiri Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Despite beginning the competition with two losses to Thailand and the Philippines, they won all of their remaining four games to earn their place among the top three of the region.

The team would have to wait until Thailand meet Myanmar in their final round-robin game on Monday to see if their bronze and turn to silver. For that to happen, last-placed Myanmar must somehow overcome the Thais.

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Singapore's basketballers in action against Myanmar at the SEA Games. Singapore are assured of their first SEA Games medal in men's basketball since earning bronze in the 1979 Jakarta Games. - Photo: Lianhe Zaobao
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Laos and Brunei Pick Malaysia

MALAYSIA UPDATED. Both Laos and Brunei pick Malaysia as the better team when the defending champions meet Singapore in their penultimate SEA Games Group A match at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium on Sunday. 

Malaysia started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Brunei on Tuesday before beating Laos-4-1 on Friday, while Singapore were held to a 1-1 draw by a 10-man Laos, edged Vietnam 1-0 and beat a 10-man Brunei 2-0.

Brunei coach Kwon Oh-son, a former South Korea international, said that Singapore play a simple pattern of football while Malaysia have been improving rapidly since their first game.

“We played our best game against Malaysia in the 2-0 defeat and played badly for the 2-0 defeat to Singapore,” said the 54-year-old coach. 

“Singapore’s game is based on strategies and their players execute their tactics well but I think Malaysia are better because they are good individually and tactically. On paper Malaysia are a better side but anything can happen on the field.”

Meanwhile, Laos coach Kimura Kokichi said that Malaysia are the team to beat because the players understand tactics well and are much more creative.

“The Malaysian team seems to have more ideas when they play and change around their tactics well on the pitch,” said Kokichi.
“Singapore play a very organised game and are dangerous in set pieces. Malaysia look a better side but it’s hard to predict the outcome of a match.”
thestar.com.my

Joseph Schooling Leaves Competitors in Wake to Take First Individual Gold

SINPGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling won his first individual gold medal of the SEA Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar when he won the men's 200m individual medley.

His time of 2min 00.82sec was a new Games record, smashing the 2011 mark of 2:02.90 set by Thailand's Nuttapong Ketin. His time put him almost three seconds ahead of Vietnam's Tran Duy Khoi (2:03.81). Ketin was third with 2:05.06.

But the women's 4x100m freestyle relay team relinquished their title after clocking 3:49.00 to finish second behind Thailand. The Thais, anchored by freestyle specialist Nattanan Junkrajang, touched home first in 3:47.66. Indonesia were third with 3:55.28.

In the women's 100m freestyle reswim, Quah Ting Wen, who holds the meet record of 56.03 seconds, took silver with a time of 56.54. She out-touched Jasmine Alkhaldi of the Philippines, who came in first on Thursday, but lost out to Thailand's defending champion Junkrajang. Technical errors during the final on Thursday led to the re-swim. Singapore's Amanda Lim, who came in third in the original final, missed out on a medal.

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Joseph Schooling with the gold medal from the men's 200m individual medley in the 27th SEA Games in Naypyidaw's Wunna Theikdi Swimming Complex, Myanmar, on Friday, Dec 13, 2013. Schooling won his first individual gold medal of the SEA Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar when he won the men's 200m individual medley. Photo: Kevin Lim

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Football: Singapore Beat Brunei 2-0, Maintain Unbeaten Start

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore continued their unbeaten start in the SEA Games football tournament with a 2-0 win over Brunei on Friday night.

Captain Hariss Harun gave Singapore the lead with a brilliant piece of skill in the 35th minute when the midfielder chested down a bouncing ball outside the box and volleyed into the bottom corner.

Sahil Suhaimi bagged his third goal of the tournament in the 58th minute when he killed a long ball with his first touch before firing an angled shot past the goalkeeper.

That made the Courts Young Lions striker the tournament's joint leading scorer alongside Malaysia's Ahmad Hazman Bakri and Myanmar's Kyaw Ko Ko.

Brunei also had Shahme Suhami sent off in the 66th minute but Aide Iskandar's men were unable to widen the scoreline.


With the victory over Brunei, Singapore now lead Group A with seven points from three matches, one ahead of defending champions Malaysia, who have played a game less.

The Young Lions, who earlier drew 1-1 with Laos and beat Vietnam 1-0, meet Malaysia on Sunday.

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Singapore's Hariss Harun (left) celebrates his goal during their 27th SEA Games football match against Brunei at the Zeyar Thiri Football Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on Friday, Dec 13, 2013. Singapore continued their unbeaten start in the SEA Games football tournament with a 2-0 win over Brunei on Friday night.  Photo: Lim Sin Thai 
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Singapore Beats Brunei 2-0 in Men’s Football SEA Games

MYANMAR UPDATED. Singapore defeated a ten-man Brunei team 2-0 in men’s football at the SEA Games in Myanmar on Friday evening.

The victory sets up a decisive encounter between Singapore and Malaysia on Sunday – the top two teams in Group A.

The young Lions entered the game at Zeyar Thiri Stadium against Brunei with much confidence coming off an excellent performance against Vietnam two days ago, which they won 1-0.

Singapore was in control from the very beginning of today’s match, playing most of the contest in Brunei’s half of the pitch, but the first goal didn’t come until the 35th minute as Brunei keeper Omar Nur Aqammaddin Sallehuddin repeatedly made saves.

The young Lions finally took the lead against the stingy Brunei defence when Harris Harun finally beat Omar Nur.

Brunei’s Muhammad Azwan Ali Rahman narrowly missed the equalizer just before the break, but his shot was off when the Singapore keeper was out of position, according to reports.

The Singapore team dominated the second half, dictating the pace of the game, and in the 58th minute got their second goal with Muhammad Sahil Suhaimi scoring.

In the 65th minute a red card on Brunei’s Mohammad Kahiri for an off the ball incident ended Brunei’s hopes for a comeback, and they packed their defence to keep Singapore from adding to the scoreline.

Brunei finds itself in last place in the Group A standngs, with their next match Tuesday against Laos.
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Singapore struggle against 10-man Laos (Video)

The Lions dominated possession but were let down by poor finishing

Singapore failed to get their SEA Games campaign off to a winning start after they could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Laos at the Zayarthiri Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Sunday night.

Courts Young Lions forward Sahil Suhaimi gave Singapore the lead in the 27th minute but substitute Khuanta Sivongthong’s 86th-minute equaliser prevented Aide Iskandar’s men from securing all three points.

Laos were reduced to 10 men after just two minutes after defender Saychon Khunsamnarn was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on LionsXII forward Shahfiq Ghani.

See Video:

Singapore struggle against 10-man Laos (Video)

The Lions dominated possession but were let down by poor finishing

Singapore failed to get their SEA Games campaign off to a winning start after they could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Laos at the Zayarthiri Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Sunday night.

Courts Young Lions forward Sahil Suhaimi gave Singapore the lead in the 27th minute but substitute Khuanta Sivongthong’s 86th-minute equaliser prevented Aide Iskandar’s men from securing all three points.

Laos were reduced to 10 men after just two minutes after defender Saychon Khunsamnarn was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on LionsXII forward Shahfiq Ghani.

See Video:

Striking While It's Hot, S'pore Footballers Set Sights on Laos

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Misfiring a few weeks ago, Singapore's attackers seem to have re-discovered their scoring touch and are brimming with confidence too.

Striker Sahil Suhaimi has even set himself a lofty personal goal ahead of tonight's SEA Games football opener against Laos - outscoring strike partner Shahfiq Ghani at the tournament.

"Shahfiq said he wants five goals so I'd like maybe one or two more than him," the 21-year-old told The Sunday Times yesterday.
The Courts Young Lions player is in high spirits and rightly so.
straitstimes.com
 

Singapore Embarrassed by 10-man Laos in SEA Games Football Opener

The Singapore Under-23 football team began their SEA Games quest for gold in underwhelming fashion when they drew 1-1 with unfancied Laos on Sunday night.

The result left the Young Lions red-faced as the Laotians played the game with 10 men after skipper Khampoumy Hanevilay was sent off after just two minutes in Naypyidaw's Zayyarthiri Stadium.

 
Courts Young Lions striker Sahil Suhaimi gave Aide Iskandar's side the lead after 28 minutes but Laos fought back to equalise through Khouanta Sivongthong's header in the 86th minute.

Singapore's next game is on Tuesday against Vietnam, who crushed Brunei 7-0 in their opening match.
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Singapore Wushu Exponents Bag a Silver in Changquan & a Bronze in Men's Duilian

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore's wushu contingent won their first medals of the SEA Games on Sunday afternoon at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

Tan Yan Ni, 17, won the Republic's first silver medal of the biennial affair when she finished second in the changquan event.

Lee Tze Yuan, 23, and Yong Yi Xiang, 19, clinched a bronze medal in the men's duilian (barehand) event.

Singapore's medal tally currently stands at one silver and two bronzes.

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Wushu exponent Tan Yan Ni (centre), 17, a silver medalist in women's changquan, with men's duilian bronze medalists Yong Yi Xiang (left), 20, and Lee Tze Yuan (right), 23, in the games village after a day of competition in the SEA Games held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, on Sunday, Dec 8, 2013. Singapore's wushu contingent won their first medals of the SEA Games on Sunday afternoon at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Photo: Kevin Lim
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Singapore Attempts Chinlone at SEA Games, Goes Down Fighting to Malaysia

SINGAPORE UPDATED. There is no Singapore national chinlone team. In fact, there may not be any chinlone players in Singapore to begin with.

But that didn’t stop the republic from gamely sending its sepak takraw team to take part in the traditional Burmese sport at the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar on Wednesday.

The six-man team from Singapore was promptly kicked out in the preliminary rounds by neighbours Malaysia, losing all three sets 50-79, 55-85 and 51-82 in an overall 156-246 beating.

A valiant effort and not bad at all for their first time ever competing, according to captain Muhammad Magrib.

“Some of us only tried it three hours before the game,” said the striker. “The Myanmar people didn’t expect us to score above 100 points even.”

Granted, chinlone – which is making its SEA Games debut – bears similarities to sepak takraw, with both employing the lower limbs to move the same rattan ball.

But the thousand-year-old sport does not involve a net nor direct competition with another team: its objective is for players in a circle to take turns keeping the ball airborne while performing tricks at the same time.

“It’s such a happy game,” said Singapore sepak takraw coach Salleh Nanang. “When Myanmar asked, the players really wanted to try their hand at it.”

The team still has two more chinlone events to play over the next two days, before their sepak takraw contest begins proper on 10 December.

And Magrib, clearly passionate about anything involving the keepie-uppie, told Yahoo Singapore he hopes that Singapore’s willingness to participate in such an obscure sport will promote its inclusion at future SEA Games, including the 2015 edition to be held in the Lion City.
yahoo.com