The Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) will once again return to Singapore after a 22-year long hiatus and will be held from 5th – 16th June 2015. Slated to happen at the Singapore National Stadium on 5th June 2015, the 28th SEA Games’ opening ceremony is set to be an inspiring and extraordinary night to mark the start of the biennial Games.
Here are 5 reasons to be excited:
1. Largest Multi-Sport Opening Ceremony At The New Stadium To Date
With over 5,000 performers and volunteers from diverse segments of the community, over 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 different Southeast Asian Nations and over 3,000 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF); the 28th SEA Games is bound to be the largest event in the new Singapore National Stadium to date.
2. Extensive Aerial System
For the first time in Singapore, an extensive aerial system, custom-designed and built for the new National Stadium will be featured as part of the opening ceremony show segment. Performers and props will be able to “fly” across the stadium, thereby expanding the performance space from a 2 to 3-dimensional space. Be sure to watch out for the giant props “flying” right before your eyes!
The specially designed aerial system will enable up to 14 sets of performers or props to fly at any one time. Audience can expect up to 50 aerial props flying on this system on 5th June during the opening ceremony!
3. High Definition Floor Projection Screen
The Singapore National Stadium is the only stadium in the world custom-designed to host football, rugby, cricket and athletics events. But on the opening ceremony, be in for a visual feast as we turn the floor of the largest dome structure in the world into a high definition screen using multimedia floor projection systems!
4. Audience Interaction Kit
The opening ceremony show will feature an “Audience Interaction Kit” which will instantly turn the audience into giant LED screens while offering the audience an immersive experience. Each member of the audience will be given a remotely operated Medallion which can be brought home as a SEA Games memento after the opening ceremony. Collectively, the medallion when worn by in-stadium audience, will transform into a giant LED video screen making the audience very much a part of the show.
This is also the first time such interaction system is being introduced in the opening ceremony in Singapore, be amazed and dazzled by how the audience forms a giant LED video screen, creating beautiful images and effects.
5. 28th SEA Games Cauldron
Befitting of the grand SG50 celebration, the 28th SEA Games will also have a purpose-built cauldron specially designed to complement the official commencement of the Games. This elegant sculptural showpiece incorporates the thematic essence of the SEA Games and its primary design motif of the show – The DNA.
The design of the cauldron uses highly sustainable material and minimal energy. It will be an important part of the SEA Games spectacle and we are hoping that the cauldron, and what it symbolises, will continue to resonate with the public long after the Games are over.
Hosted by popular TV personalities Gurmit Singh, Sharon Au, and Nikki Muller, the opening ceremony show will also involve Singaporean talents such as Daphne Khoo, Shigga Shay, and Siow Lee Chin. Along with over 5,000 performers and volunteers, they will present 5 acts that feature themes signifying different facets of the Games, such as the beauty of unfettered dreams and the limitless energy of youth
Wondering where you can catch the highlights or better yet, watch it live? Hit up the official YouTube channel! You can even stream it on the go, if you’d like 😉
Alternatively, you could also tune in to Astro Arena, as it will start airing the pre-games events on Channel 801, and in HD on Channel 802. From 6th to 16th June, Astro Arena’s 180-strong production team will be in Singapore, working around-the-clock to deliver extensive live coverage for Malaysian sports fans.
Meanwhile, results for the Games thus far are available here. As far as we know, Malaysia has claimed their first gold of the 28th SEA Games after synchronised swimmers Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi-Zylane Lee lived up to expectations in the duet technical and free routine event finals.
For more timely updates, hit up SEA Games 2015’s official Twitter or Facebook page.
28th SEA Games fun facts by Chan Yi Quan via SEA Games 2015’s official website / Featured image from Today Online.
