SEA Games return to Myanmar after 44 years

SEA Games return to Myanmar after 44 years

Published on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 20:56

The opening ceremony of the pre-SEA Games, held in Nay Pyi Taw in August (Photo – EMG)

NAY PYI TAW—The Southeast Asian Games, formerly known as the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games, were first held in 1959. This year's 27th edition of the biennial sporting event will be the third time the Games have been held in Myanmar, and the first time in 44 years.

Before this year's event, Myanmar had only hosted the 2nd SEAP Games in 1961 and the 6th SEAP Games in 1969 and had never hosted the sports event after the name was changed. After 1990, Myanmar lost its chance to host the Games several times due to the lack of large stadiums and gymnasiums. The upcoming SEA Games will be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay, and Ngwe Saung Beach from December 11 to 22. Thirty-three sports will be featured in the event, including Myanmar's traditional 'chinlone' (cane-ball), which is a new sport at this year's Games.

The first time

The 2nd Southeast Asian Peninsular Games were held in Yangon in 1961. All competitions were held in Yangon from December 11 to 16. According to historical records, the Games included 13 sports and approximately 800 athletes from seven countries participated in the event. 

The opening and closing ceremonies were held at Bogyoke Aung San Stadium and Zaw Weik, known as the father of Myanmar sports, carried the Games torch. The sport event featured aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, basketball, cycling, football, sailing, shooting, table tennis, volleyball, and weightlifting. Myanmar led the medal tally with 35 gold medals, 26 silver and 43 bronze. The other participating countries were Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos.

Athletes marching in the opening ceremony of the 2nd Southeast Asian Peninsular Games, held in Yangon in 1961 (Photo – Tagon journal)

The second time 

Myanmar hosted the 6th SEAP Games in 1969. The event was held at Bogyoke Aung San Stadium from December 6 to 13, with participation from six countries. The significant thing about this event was that Vietnam was divided into two due because of the civil war, and only South Vietnam participated in the Games. The sports were aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, gymnastic, judo, rugby union, Sepak Takraw, shooting, sailing, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, and weightlifting. Myanmar led the medal tally with 149: 57 gold, 46 silver, and 46 bronze. Myanmar sports team won gold medals in aquatics, athletics, boxing, cycling, football, volleyball, and wrestling.

Zaw Weik carrying the torch during the opening ceremony of the 2nd Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (Photo – Tagon journal)

The third time—after a 44-year wait

All 10 Southeast Asian countries will participate in the upcoming 27th SEA Games. As Myanmar will be hosting event, new stadiums and gymnasiums have been built along with the 'Gold Camp,' a sports village for the athletes, in Nay Pyi Taw. Most of the competitions will be held in Nay Pyi Taw, with seven other sporting events in Yangon, one event at Ngwe Saung Beach and women's football matches in Mandalay. 

This year's event will feature Olympic category events as well as traditional games from the region. The Philippines strongly objected to the addition of traditional games and withdrew its men's football team, even though the list of officially approved events had been drawn up.

Although Myanmar ranked first in the medal tally both times it hosted the Games in the past, the athletic prowess of Myanmar is now very different from other countries' levels. Myanmar thus expects to finish no higher than third place in the medal tally, winning about 100 gold medals. Among the 33 sports, Myanmar has the potential to win gold in more than 20.

After 44 years, Myanmar is finally ready to successfully host the SEA Games and win some medals. The only question seems to be whether Myanmar's sports teams will continue to enjoy their reputation as good hosts as they did in the past.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/sea-games-return-to-myanmar-after-44-years/