6 Things We Can Learn from the 2017 SEA Games
AS the 29th Southeast Asian Games comes to a close, it looks like the Philippines will likely end up in sixth place with a total of 121 medals– 24 gold, 33 silver, 64 bronze medals–assuring the country of its worst finish in 18 years in the biennial showpiece.
In one of Spin.ph last SEA Games updates “Olympian and flag-bearer Kirstie Elaine Alora settled for the silver medal in the women’s -73kg category in taekwondo after bowing to nemesis Sorn Seavmey of Cambodia. In evening results, squash delivered a silver courtesy of Robert Garcia, David Pelino, and Reymark Begornia in the men’s team event while sepak takraw also copped a silver in the men’s regu from Jason Huerte, Mark Joseph Gonzales, Rheyjey Ortouste, Rhemiwil Catana, and Ronsited Gabayeron. Francis Agojo also tabbed bronze in the men’s -63kg in taekwondo. Squash also tallied bronze from the women’s team event courtesy of Isabelle Gotuaco, Jemyca Aribado, Joan Arebado, and Yvonne Alyssa Dalida.
Bronze medalists in pencak silat were Rick Rod Ortega (men’s tanding Class C -60kg), Jefferson Rhey Loon (men’s tanding Class D -65kg), Juryll Del Rosario (men’s tanding Class I 85-90kg) , and Princesslyn Enopia (women’s tanding Class A 45-50kg). Ryan Jakiri settled for bronze medal in the men’s 60-63.5kg division in muay.”
While things didn’t turn out quite good for #TeamPhilippines, our performance in the regional competition only serves as a wake up call as we prepare to host the next SEA Games in 2019. If there’s anything we can learn from host country Malaysia, its that “Rising Together” can bring about some pretty impressive results.”
Here are 6 things you should know about the KL SEA Games:
MAGNIFICENT OPENING CEREMONY: I honestly had very little interest about the SEA Games until I received an invitation for Air Asia’s #DareToDream Campaign launch. Next thing I knew I was on a plane bound for KL to witness the opening ceremonies.
We arrived a bit late and was already rushing to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (with our luggage in tow) as the ceremonies were already underway.
As I posted photos of the, one of my Facebook friends even compared it to the grandeur of the London Olympics.
From the blinking LED lights that delivered graphic messages, Horses, trikes, and even “boats” running across the fields, hundreds of performers dancing, to the parade of more than 4,000 of the best athletes in the region, everything was perfectly choreograph making it perhaps the best SEA Games opening.
But beyond the splendid spectacle of lights and sound what truly impressed me were the 80,000 people (maybe more) cheering and clapping in unison for the government officials as they made their speeches. Well, even I couldn’t help but applaud them as you can clearly see the efforts they made to make the ceremonies truly memorable. If only we could hire them for the next two years to help our preparation.
Even crowd management was impressive from entering the venue—police were very visible to the exit points leading to their public transport system and despite the huge crowd you can barely hear people complaining of the long queue. While our security here couldn’t even properly manage the crowd that lined up for Zarks P8 peso promo.
Check out my first day in KL in the video below
Are we really sure we could handle the responsibility?
2. Why #KL2017?
The official hashtag of the games was #KL2017 instead of SEAGames2017 as Malaysia plays host to two regional events. Besides the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) Malaysia is also hosting the 9th ASEAN Para Games. That is why the two Games branded together as Kuala Lumpur 2017 (KL2017) with the SEA Games happening: 19 – 30 August 2017 and the ASEAN Para Games from 17 – 23 September 2017. The country’s 60th Independence Day.
Highlights of the Kuala Lumpur 2017 Official Opening Ceremony
3. HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE?
This is the sixth time that Malaysia is hosting the SEA Games. Malaysia last became the overall champions with a total of 111 golds in 32 sports when the country hosted the Games in 2001.
Thanks to its Ministry of Youth and Sports Kita Juara programme, Malaysia sits comfortably on top with the most medals at 316—141 gold, 91 silver and 84 bronze medals.
And for those who think Malaysia fixed the games or whatever their response is well worth quoting “Yeah, we fixed our athletes to perform better by very good exposure, very good training, very good coaching, many of them were sent overseas. “There was an investment made in these athletes and it has paid off.”
4. RIMAU AND WAU BULAN
While touring the city, there were two images you couldn’t miss. The SEA Logo and the Mascot Rimau.
The The logo is based on the famous Malaysian symbol which is the Wau Bulan, a type of moon-kite synonymous with the east coast states of the country. Graceful, beautiful, powerful and rising high above, the Wau establishes itself as something that uniquely represents the transcendent power of sports. The system of a combination of stripes and shards of colour is collated from the flags of all the Southeast Asian countries to create the Kuala Lumpur 2017 identity.
To personify and embody the spirit of the Games, they created a mascot which is memorable and eye-catching. For Kuala Lumpur 2017, the mascot is inspired by the graceful and powerful Malayan Tiger. Rimau is gracious, friendly, competitive and athletic. Most importantly, Rimau is a true athlete. The name RIMAU stands for RESPECT, INTEGRITY, MOVE, ATTITUDE & UNITY.
5. BY THE NUMBERS
There are 405 events from 38 sports for the 2017 SEA Games, with five new categories to debut which are bridge, cricket, ice hockey, ice skating (which includes figure skating and short-track speed skating) and Tarung Derajat. It will mark the first time winter sports are contested in the history of the SEA Games. Around 8,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries are expected to participate in the 2017 SEA Games. All the events will be held in Kuala Lumpur except for sailing (Langkawi) and equestrian (Terengganu).
6. FIRSTS and GREEN GAMES
The Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC) goal was to make Kuala Lumpur 2017 “a truly Green Games”.
Its Green Games initiative includes planting a tree for every medal awarded at KL2017 to offset its carbon footprint.
The introduction of new sports including, for the first time, winter sports such as ice hockey has also been a huge hit with the public.
This SEA Games was also the first to have an arbitration panel to resolve disputes, which the SEAGF said “worked very well and very fast”.
#DARETODREAM
IF there’s one thing we Filipinos have proven time and again, its our Heart. The SEA Games may be over for now, but we will continue to dream and aspire to be better next time. AirAsia, the official airline partner of the 2017 SEA Games, created a series of inspiring web videos that tell the stories of our very own athletes, who have given it all to bring home glory for the country.
The series chronicles the journeys of renowned Volleyball player Alyssa Valdez, Swimmer Jessie Lacuna, and Long Jump athlete Marestella Torres-Sunang. The #DaretoDream videos share both the challenges and joys that come with being an athlete, and is sure to encourage young, aspiring local talents who want to go into sports.
Athlete Michelle Gumabao also did updates on how the countrys were performing during the competitions. The four videos will contain the game highlights and team standings of the Philippine delegates.
The first video will focus on the Opening Ceremony of the 29th SEA Games. The second and third will feature the winning athletes and teams from different countries, and the last will recap the highlights and winning moments of our Filipino athletes.
To learn more about AirAsia’s #DaretoDream campaign, visit the AirAsia Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPH.
Thank you AirAsia for a wonderful once in a lifetime experience!
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