From 5th – 16th June, Singapore play host to the 28th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which saw the participation of 11 countries and over 7,000 athletes.
Previously hosting the Games in 1973, 1983, and 1993, Singapore’s 4th time hosting the Games is especially significant to the republic as it celebrates its 50th year of independence in 2015.
While Singapore emerged second on the medal tally with 87 gold, 73 silver, and 102 bronze medal wins, Malaysian athletes deserve resounding rounds of applause for their achievements too!
Malaysian athletes, who initially went to Singapore with a target of winning 184 medals, bagged 62 gold, 58 silver, and 66 bronze medals at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore. That’s a total of 186 medals and a vast improvement from the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia (59) and 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar (43).
#MalaysiaBoleh, they’ve done us proud 🙂
The closing ceremony (16th June) saw the extinguishing of the Games’ cauldron flame and the symbolic passing of the SEA Games Federation Flag to Malaysia, as the next edition of the biennial meet will be held here — the 6th time since 1959 — and it is set to create 2 milestones:
- If plans are approved, the 2017 SEA Games will be the first time the event is staged in 2 locations across a vast expanse of sea – in Kuala Lumpur and Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak).
- Winter sports events such as ice skating and ice hockey will make their debut in what has always been a stage for only summer events.
According to CNA, Zolkples Embong, chief executive officer of Malaysia’s 2017 SEA Games organising committee said that Malaysia is planning for a Games budget of between S$250 (about RM700 million) and S$300 million (over RM830 million).
After a series of closing ceremony activities including dances, the athletes’ march, singing, and other live performances, the Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was was present at the Singapore National Stadium last night, went onstage to receive the flag on behalf of Malaysia:
Closing ceremony for @seagames2015. Will be receiving the SEA Games flag on behalf of Malaysia as host for 2017. pic.twitter.com/YJ4H46PnTr
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) June 16, 2015
Receiving the SEA Games flag for Malaysia. Selamat datang ke Sukan SEA 2017!!! pic.twitter.com/NxpHCFXEqE
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) June 16, 2015
And of course, as with any other major event’s closing ceremony, the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore’s closing was just as epic, if not more. The host nation partied to Ferry Corsten, who spun a live set and provided the tunes to end the Games with a pulsing dance party.
Excuse us while we repeatedly kick ourselves for not being there!
Watch the full 28th SEA Games in Singapore’s closing ceremony video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFo-gHZRcxs
See you in 2017 on our homeground, SEA Games! 😉
Sources: CNA (1), TMI, SEA Games 2015 website, CNA (2) / Featured image from CNA.
