Extravagant sports fiesta

Sun, August 27, 2017 / 06:07 pm

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Fireworks amaze spectators during the opening ceremony of the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The event will be held until Aug. 30, 2017. JP/Seto Wardhana
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Trumpet squad plays its instruments as Sultan Muhammad V leaves the stadium after the opening of the SEA Games. JP/Seto Wardhana
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SEA Games mascot Rimau makes an appearance during the opening ceremony of the SEA Games. JP/Seto Wardhana
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The Indonesian delegation (foreground) marches during the SEA Games opening ceremony. JP/Seto Wardhana
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A dancer walks down the stairs while dancing among the attendants at the Bukit Jalil Stadium during the opening ceremony. JP/Seto Wardhana
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Dancers on board boats perform during the SEA Games opening ceremony. JP/Seto Wardhana
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Dancers carry yellow boards during their performance at the opening ceremony. JP/Seto Wardhana
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Dancers ride tricycles during their performance at the opening ceremony. JP/Seto Wardhana
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Torch bearers run their last lap during the SEA Games opening ceremony at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. JP/Seto Wardhana
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Malaysian athlete Nur Dhabitah Sabri is lifted with a wire to light the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the SEA Games. JP/Seto Wardhana

The 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games officially kicked off at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday evening (Aug. 19, 2017) with a spectacular opening ceremony, cheered on by thousands of supporters from 11 participating countries.

ASEAN countries of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam as well as Timor Leste took part in the biennial sporting event.

The Indonesian delegation, among the largest with 533 athletes and 200 officials and coaches, greeted the crowd during the opening parade. I Gede Siman Sudartawa was the flag bearer, while Aziz Syamsuddin was the chef-de-mission.