The 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 19 to 31. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting features that make the 2017 version of the Games so special.

Special moment

The 29th SEA Games takes place on a special year as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrates its 50th founding anniversary (1967-2017). Therefore, the Games slogan “Peace-Integration-Prosperity” has reflected the ASEAN people’s common aspiration to live in peace for mutual development.

In addition, the largest regional sporting event also coincides with the 60th Independence Day (August 31, 1957-2017) of Malaysia, one of the five founding nations of ASEAN.

Logo

The 2017 SEA Games logo

The logo of the 2017 SEA Games is an image of a Wau Bulan, a crescent-shaped kite traditionally popular on the east coast of the Malaysian Peninsular. The combination of stripes and colours were derived from the flags of all countries in Southeast Asia. The Wau Bulan kite also symbolises the power to rise to new records in sports.

A Malaysia-wide competition was held to select the logo of the Games. A total of 174 entries were submitted for the design competition.

Mascot: Malayan tiger named Rimau

The official mascot of the 29th SEA Games is an anthropomorphic Malayan tiger named Rimau. It was chosen from 174 entries submitted for the Games symbol competition, together with the logo and theme. 

The name is an abbreviation of the Games’ core values, namely: Respect, Integrity, Move, Attitude and Unity.

Through the 2017 SEA Games, Malaysia also places a focus on fostering solidarity between ASEAN member nations with the theme of “Rising together” and the slogan of “Peace-Integration-Prosperity”.

Torch relay

The torch relay of the 29th SEA Games has commenced from May 14 in Johor in South Malaysia, runs throughout the country and is set to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on August 12, 2017.

What’s special is that the participants in the torch relay have been chosen out of all the Malaysian citizens and those from ASEAN countries, who are living, studying and working in Malaysia.

The torch will travel throughout the capital city of Kuala Lumpur before entering Bukit Jalil National Stadium to light up the cauldron at the opening ceremony scheduled on August 19.

Age for men’s football: under 22

The draw results of the men's football event.

At the 29th SEA Games, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the hosting nation have agreed that the age of players in the men’s football event is under 22, instead of under 23 as in previous editions. However, this regulation will only be applied at the 2017 SEA Games.

The men’s football competition will be played from August 14 to 29.

Host country fields the biggest delegation

The 2017 Games will be the sixth version of the SEA Games hosted by Malaysia, following those in 1965 (third edition), 1971 (sixth edition), 1977 (ninth edition), 1989 (15th edition) and 2001 (21st edition).

As reported by the host country, the 29th SEA Games will feature the participation of about 7,000 athletes and officials representing the 11 participating nations, alongside the service of 9,000 volunteers.

Among the total 4,888 athletes (the second largest number, just behind the 2005 Games in the Philippines with 5,336 athletes), Malaysia is represented by the largest number of competitors, 874, followed by Thailand, 858; Indonesia, 629; Singapore, 582, the Philippines, 497; Vietnam, 476; Myanmar, 457; Laos, 201; Cambodia, 178; Brunei, 109 and Timor Leste, 48.

There will be more than 2,000 correspondents from across the region to directly cover the Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The 29th SEA Games will have 405 disciplines in 38 sports, with more than 1,300 sets of medals up for grabs.

Nhan Dan