In case you have been living under a rock for the past few days, we are now halfway through the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which held in Kuala Lumpur from August 16 to 31 this year.
To help you keep up-to-date, here are 10 of the fun facts you should know about the biennial multi-sport event.
1. This year, Malaysia has the honour of playing host to athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries for the 2017 SEA Games. The countries are Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
2. Malaysia is proudly hosting the Olympic Games for the sixth time, having previously hosted the 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, and 2001 editions of the games.
3. The theme is “Rising Together”. Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told Channel News Asia in June in regards to the to the reasoning behind the name.
“I chose the theme ‘Rising Together’ because this (year) is 50 years of ASEAN and it’s important that we celebrate the coming of age of a region that is more confident, has come further because we are together, because we are more integrated now … so hopefully it is a celebration for all of us.”
4. The logo of the 2017 SEA Games is an image of a Wau Bulan, a crescent-shaped kite traditionally well known on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
5. The official mascots of the 2017 SEA Games were inspired by the graceful and powerful Malayan Tiger. Named Rimau—a name that is an abbreviation of the Games’ core values which are Respect, Integrity, Move, Attitude and Unity.
6. Team Malaysia is represented by 844* athletes consisting of 469 men and 375 women across all sports.
*These numbers are based on contingent entries and correct as at August 24, 2017.
7. Instead of a games village, all contingents were put up in nine hotels.
Hotel Renaissance Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Hotel Royal Chulan (Brunei)
Hotel Sunway Putra (Cambodia and Philippines)
Hotel The Royale Chulan Bintang (Indonesia)
Hotel Swiss Garden (Laos)
Hotel Federal Kuala Lumpur (Myanmmar)
Hotel Double Tree by Hilton (Singapore)
Hotel Istana (Thailand)
Hotel Berjaya Times Square (Timor-Leste and Vietnam).
8. All the events will be held in Kuala Lumpur except for sailing (Langkawi) and equestrian (Terengganu).
9. The medals of the games were designed by Royal Selangor, which is also the designer company for the torch and the baton. You will also be able to view an installation of the KL2017 torch and medal at Royal Selangor Visitor Centre (RSVC), from 9am to 5pm, till September 23, 2017. Official KL 2017 Games merchandise will also be available for purchase.
10. The closing ceremonies will be held at the newly-upgraded Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Read also: Traveloka Offers Exclusive Flight and Hotel Deals In Conjunction With SEA Games
– Cover Image: @kualalumpur2017
