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.

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.

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

Thai Event Business Helps Myanmar Kick off SEA Games

THE EVENT Management Association believes that the 27th Southeast Asian Games will help Myanmar improve its national image and boost the confidence of international firms, including event businesses from Thailand.

"After having not held the SEA Games for 44 years, Myanmar aims to use this sports event to shine its light to the world in terms of its compe?tency and readiness to hold a regional event that will also instil more confidence in international businesses," Sermkhun Kunawong, chairman of the EMA said.


Myanmar opened the SEA Games yesterday at its new capital Nay Pyi Taw, welcoming hundreds of athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia. The event is held every other year, and this one closes on December 22.

Sermkhun said Myanmar offered huge opportunities for internation?al companies, including those in Thailand. Although its event industry is still at a early stage of development, demand from major companies wanting to jump into this neighbouring country is still strong.

Compared with Laos and Cambodia, Myanmar's customer base is larger - about 60 million people. Its natural resources are also in greater abundance, such as petroleum, natural gas and metals.

Sermkhun, who is also chief executive officer of CMO, said his com?pany had been assigned by Thai Samsung Electronics to conduct the "27th Myanmar SEA Games Lucky Cards Campaign" to promote participation among Myanmar people from August 23-November 30. On each card are the details of the SEA Games and a serial number. The winning numbers will be published. The prizes are worth more than 200 million kyat (Bt6.5 million).

The company had seen potential in the Myanmar market, as its economy and purchasing power are growing, and its population is close to Thailand's, so it decided to do business there. It aims for revenue of Bt100 million from its activities in Myanmar. "Our focus is on coming projects to be held in Myanmar both from local Thai companies and multinational companies in Thailand," Sermkhun said.

CMO is widely known among the local and Thai companies in Myanmar. Its staging of the SEA Games contest will give it greater exposure, leading to more work, he said. "The Myanmar government and the press there have started to know more about CMO as a holistic communication and event company from Thailand."

This year, the company will expand to neighbouring countries. CMO has organised many important events such as the maiden Bangkok-Mandalay flight of Thai Smile Airways, the launch of Coca-Cola in Laos, and a Kubota press conference in Myanmar.

The company targets revenue of Bt1.2 billion this year.
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Myanmar Media Complain SEA Games Access Is Restricted

MYANMAR UPDATED. As the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) got underway this week, local Burmese media groups say access to events has been restricted, limiting their ability to cover the landmark sporting event.
 
Although the opening ceremony is not until Dec. 11, some SEA Games events began in Naypyidaw on Wednesday. It is Burma’s first time hosting the regional games, and the occasion offers the country a chance to show that it can successfully organize international events, ahead of its debut chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2014.

 
Reporters based in Rangoon trying to find their way up to Naypyidaw, where the majority of events are taking place, have been faced not only with hotel rooms price hikes, but with bureaucratic obstacles.

Many journalists, as they were instructed, applied ahead of time to the Ministry of Information for laminated passes to access SEA Games events. But reporters and photographers trying to enter venues were told this week they must also obtain separate permission from the National Olympic Council and the Sports Ministry for “security reasons.”

Photojournalist Hein Htet told The Irrawaddy the system of registration was overly complicated, and that even media with the correct approval were denied access to one Chinlone event in Naypyidaw.

“They let in the first group of journalists who arrived early, but those who arrived late, they did not let them inside [the venue],” he said.

Additional permission is also required for media to enter training facilities, the different stadiums and the games’ opening and closing ceremonies.

Ko Ko, chairman of the Yangon Media Group, complained the authorities did not appear to be coordinated in organizing the games.

“They do not have good communication between ministries,” he said. “This is why our reporters have problems regarding the issue of registration cards. If they say these restrictions are for security, they need to make an announcement earlier about what reporters need to do to register.”

Ko Ko warned that if foreign media receive the same treatment, the authorities’ mismanagement of the games could do reputational damage to the country.

“If they even do this to foreign media, they need to give proper messages,” he said. “They do not know how to treat the media well. We will have more problems in 2014 for the Asean events.

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People line up Friday to buy tickets for a SEA Games football match on Saturday between Burma and Cambodia at Thuwunna Stadium. (Photo: Sai Zaw / The Irrawaddy)
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irrawady.org
 

Myanmar Spares No Expense for SEA Games Opening

MYANMAR UPDATED. Myanmar laid on a spare-no-expenses opening ceremony for the Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday, part of efforts by the government to convince the world it's open for business following a half-century of brutal military rule and isolation.

The four-hour extravaganza, complete with parades, fireworks, singers, dancers and a sound-and-light show, was held to loud cheers and bursts of applause in a packed 30,000-seat stadium.

It is one of nearly a dozen arenas built for the games in the surreal, remote capital of Naypyitaw, which was carved from the jungle by former leaders of the junta just a few years ago.

Some people travelled for days in hopes of getting tickets to the opening ceremony - held a full 11 days after the games got underway - but not everyone felt comfortable with the money and energy invested, especially on infrastructure.

The nation of 60 million remains one of the world's poorest, with only a tiny portion of the budget going to education or health.

"I'm proud we can hold these games, but it's hard to understand such a grand event," said Moe Zaw, a 33-year-old who lives hand-to-mouth in a dusty village a few kilometres from the stadium, as he prepared to drop a fishing line into a little creek.

Myanmar last hosted the SEA Games, the largest sporting event in the region, in 1969.

There has been little star power this time around, with all the premier badminton players at the Superseries Finals in Malaysia. Several countries decided to scale down their presence after the host scrapped sports like tennis and gymnastics in favour of traditional, cane-ball competitions like chinlone, and obscure martial arts forms like wushu, to boost its chances at winning golds.

The tactic appears to be working as Myanmar leads the medal table with 18 golds, trailed by 10 for Vietnam and six for Thailand.

For the country, an international pariah under successive dictatorships, the games are more about showing the world how much has changed since President Thein Sein installed a nominally civilian government two years ago.

As part of sweeping reforms, it has released thousands of political prisoners, including 44 on Wednesday, and freed up the media. With U.S. and European sanctions largely lifted, multinationals like Coke and Unilever are slowly starting to test the waters.

Determined to make sure everything goes smoothly throughout the 22-day event, the government has tightened security, with police carrying automatic weapons lining multilane highways that crisscross the sprawling capital, and bomb-sniffing dogs being walked around venues.

To avoid the embarrassment of empty seating, thousands of students also have been bused in for the competitions, said Chit Win Maung, a sports commentator.

The turnout for Wednesday's official opening, however, appeared to be genuine.

"Well, I'm a little disappointed," said Pe Ray Mya, a 29-year-old who spent a full day driving from eastern Myanmar with her husband in hopes of attending, only to find out all the tickets had been snatched up.

"At this point," she added, shielding her eyes from the tropical sun as she looked at the long line in front of her, "I'll go to any of the competitions if I can get in."
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Associated Press writer Aye Aye Win contributed from Yangon.
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SEA Games Highlights for 10 December 2013

MYANMAR UPDATED Thailand’s men’s sepak takraw hoop team showed their mettle in the final match of the day at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium (B), scoring 830 to win gold and push Myanmar (650) to the silver medal.

Brunei and Singapore won bronzes.

In the women’s action, Myanmar outclassed Laos 760-300 to take the hoops gold. Laos got silver and Cambodia the bronze.

Myanmar won the opening match of the women’s football at the 27th SEA Games, scoring goals in both halves to beat Philippines 2-0 at mandalarthiri Stadium in Mandalay.

In men’s football at Zeyarthiri Stadium, Malaysia blanked Brunei 2-0 with a single marker in each half.

In the second game, Singapore’s single marker held up to the finish, putting them in locker room 1-0 winners over Vietnam and leaving the group wide open.

At Nag Lite Dam on the first day for Canoe/Kayak, Myanmar’s Win Htike grabbed gold in the men’s C1 1000. Spensstuber Mehue (INA) won silver and Hermie Macaranas (PHI) took the bronze.

Myanmar’s women won the gold medal in the K4 1000, coming home ahead of silver medalists Vietnam. Thailand took bronze.

The men’s C2 gold went to Sai Min Wan and Win Htike (MYA), Eka Octarorianus and Anwar Tarra won silver and Thanh Sang Nguyen and Van Vung Luu got bronze for Vietnam.

Thailand snapped the host gold-medal rush with a winning run in the men’s K4 1000, ahead of Indonesia, silver, and Myanmar, bronze.

On the opening day of women’s futsal, Thailand blanked Indonesia 4-0 at the Futsal Stadium, scoring three unanswered goals in the first half and adding a fourth in the second half.

In the day’s second match Vietnam scored five goals in the first half against Myanmar and added a sixth in the second to record the second shutout of the day.

In water polo Zeyarthiri Swimming Pool, Singapore wrapped up the gold medal for the third straight SEA Games, beating Myanmar 21-13 for an undefeated run though the round robin competition.

Indonesia, with just a single loss to Singapore got the silver and Thailand with two wins and two losses won bronze.

Malaysia won a single match, against Myanmar, who lost all four games.

At National Indoor Stadium (1), Cambodia’s Ni Samnang took gold in women’s 63kg freestyle wrestling. Latxomphou Oday got the silver and Wai Lwin Aung (MYA) won bronze.

In the 59kg freestyle, Pham Thi Loan (VIE) won gold, Srisombat Salinee (THA) the silver and Ridwan Rikha Wahdani Yaty (INA) the bronze.

At 55kg, Pham Thi Hue took the gold, Maungpor Maliwan (THA) the silver and Aye Aye Aung (MYA) the bronze.

In men’s Greco-Roman Zaw Moe Aung (MYA) won gold in the 96kg class. Thatthavong Khonkeo (THA) got silver and Ngoun Kim Heng (CAM) the bronze.

At 84kg, Cambodia’s Kov Chheang Hong won gold, Balabal Jason (PHI) the silver and Kanchalee Chinnawet (THA) the bronze.

Kusno Hadi Saputra (INA) won gold in the 74kg class, Sirithahan Atthaphol (THA) got silver and Khong Van Khoa (VIE) the bronze.

At Zeyarthiri Indoor Stadium (A), Singapore ‘s men’s basketball team surprised fancied Malaysia 71-67. After going into the second quarter tied at 19, Singapore outscored Malaysia 19-13 in the second quarter, 20-19 in the third and hung on for the win in the final frame despite being outscored 16-13.

Gold-medal favorite Philippines added to their campaign with a 107-57 rout of Cambodia. Philippines won all four quarters; 25-16 in the first, 19-9 in the second, 32-14 in the third and 31-18 in the fourth.

Thailand rolled over Indonesia 75-59, coming out ahead after the first quarter and never looking back.

In Wushu, Quoc Khanh Pham took gold in men’s nangun, Soe Kyaw (MYA) got silver and Mun Hua Ho (MAS) grabbed bronze.

In taijiquan and taijian, Daniel Parantac (PHI) won the gold, Nyein Chan Ko Ko (MYA) the silver and Tze Yuan Lee (SIN) the bronze.

In women’s duilian, Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Yingshe Lee (BRU) got gold, Hui Xin Fung, Zoe Wei Ting Mui and Emily Min Le Sin (SIN) silver and Kariza Kris Chan and Nastasha Enriquex (PHI) took the bronze.

In duilian (2) gold went to Valerie Ling En Wee and Vera Yan Ning Tsan, Aint Mi Mi and Sandy Oo (MYA) silver and Natalie Chriselda Tanasa and Thalia Lovita Sosrodjojo (INA) bronze.

 

Equestrian Culture to Feature in Opening Ceremony

According to information from the Myanmar Equestrian Federation, a special procession of brightly decorated horses will be included in the Opening Ceremony of the 27th Myanmar SEA Games.

“In Myanmar Buddhist tradition, every family with a male offspring has to consecrate their male child to Buddhism. This consecration introduces the child into the Buddhist monk society where they learn reading and writing skills through Buddhist scriptures. For all Myanmar people, it is a very auspicious occasion for them and they try to make the ceremony as grand as possible. 

In ancient days, animals were the only means of transportation and horses are thought to be of highest value after the elephant. So, they use horses to carry their sons to monasteries where the boys spend a few days of monkhood after the inauguration ceremony,” explained U Win Aung, head of the Myanmar Equestrian Committee.

“Today, horses fit for this kind of ceremony are hard to find and it is even harder to see this kind of procession because people are replacing horses with motor vehicles. For the SEA Games, we will use three dressage horses from Shan State and 30 local men and women for the display called Shin Laung,” he added.
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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.


Indonesia menargetkan 120 emas dari 460 nomor yang dipertandingkan untuk mempertahankan status juara umum yang diraih pada SEA Games 2011 di Palembang dan Jakarta.

Dari 460 nomor yang ada, Indonesia hanya akan mengikuti 452 nomor. Delapan nomor yang tidak diikuti Indonesia adalah nomor-nomor di cabang chinlone.

Menpora Roy Suryo mengatakan bahwa Indonesia harus mewaspadai tuan rumah. Perjuangan para atlet di lapangan bisa Anda saksikan lengkap di layar SCTV dan Indosiar.
liputan6.com 
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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