First gold up for grabs as SEA Games launches

Indonesia is hosting the biennial sports extravaganza for the fourth time, with events focused on host city Palembang and Jakarta from today to November 22. Indonesia last played host in 1997, when it won the overall Games title with a landslide 194 gold medals. Since then the overall crown has eluded this island nation.  At the previous edition in Laos two years ago, Thailand retained their overall SEA Games title with 86 gold, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia with 83 and 43 gold respectively.

This time, the host nation has set itself a target of 200 gold medals, which should be enough to reclaim the overall title and with it, lost pride. Thailand, severely hit by flooding, were aiming to return with around 125 gold medals. However, following a recent assessment of athletes’ progress by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the target was revised down to 110 gold medals. Thailand is sending 1,183 athletes and officials to the Games to battle strong rivals from the other 10 Asean nations including Vietnam, Burma and the Philippines. A total of 557 gold medals are at stake in 45 sports disciplines, with Thais competing in 39 sports. The spectacular opening ceremony kicks off at 7pm by the Musi River, with security tight both here and at the Kata Baring Sports Complex in Palembang, where the main sporting events will take place.

The Games’ launch will be heralded by 11 boats, representing the 11 participating countries, sailing down the Musi River, while former badminton queen Susi Susanti, champion at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, will ignite the Games Flame at the cauldron. Kittikun Sriuttawong, captain of the Thai men’s volleyball team, will carry the Thai flag during the parade of the athletes into the stadium.

Leaders from all participating countries will be present, while HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana will attend as a guest of honour.

Aside from points in the men’s football and water polo competitions, five gold medals in canoeing will also be at stake today. Thailand will have a chance to win their first gold through Wichan Jaithieng, who will be hoping to improve on his fifth place at the Asian Canoeing Championships as he tackles the men’s 1,000m singles kayak event.