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Games used to showcase fledging democracy
Grand opening: The Myanmar host delegation enters the 27th Sea Games arena at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Wednesday
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Grand opening: The Myanmar host delegation enters the 27th Sea Games arena at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Wednesday. The biennial multi-sport event will last until Dec. 22. (JP/P.J. Leo) (JP/P.J. Leo)
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span class="caption" style="width: 498px;">Grand opening: The Myanmar host delegation enters the 27th Sea Games arena at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Wednesday. The biennial multi-sport event will last until Dec. 22. (JP/P.J. Leo)
The 27th Southeast Asian Games officially commenced on Wednesday with Myanmar, which was formerly ruled by an authoritarian military junta, keen to use the biennial sporting showcase to signal its commitment to openness to the world.
The opening ceremony was held in the new capital, Naypyitaw, as the country is hosting the event for the first time in 44 years.
However, the overbearing scrutiny that was typical under the junta has not been totally banished, as the ceremony was held under tight security by armed forces at the brand new Wunna Theikdi Stadium.
Thousands of Myanmarese mostly wearing longyi (Myanmar sarong) flocked to the stadium hours before the ceremony began at 5 p.m. local time.
Around 6,000 athletes and officials from 11 participating countries as well as some heads of state attended the ceremony, highlighted with various traditional performances.
The event, which will run until Dec. 22, will hand out 1,557 medals (460 golds, 460 silvers and 637 bronze) in 33 sporting events.
In his speech, Vice President U Nyan Tun said that the country was eager to carry on the tradition of success it had established as host in 1961 and 1969, when the competition was called the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games.
'This will be the third time and I believe it will be a great success,' he said.
He expected this would be a beginning for improving connectivity in sports among Asian countries.
The grandiose Wunna Theikdi Stadium was completed early this year, but some supporting infrastructure remains unfinished.
Some hotels, though half-finished, are already being used to accommodate thousands of athletes, officials and foreign guests.
Many of the visitors have complained about the unreliability of the public transportation.
Taxis are rarely available, shuttle buses that are provided for guests and officials are also rare.
'The distance and poor transportation links between venues and the hotel area is the main problem,' said an Indonesian journalist who arrived a week prior to the opening ceremony.
While the games officially kicked off on Wednesday, certain events such as the traditional sport of chinlone, water polo and wushu had already begun a few days before, with 49 gold medals having already been awarded.
Host Myanmar topped the provisional medal tally with 18 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals, followed by Vietnam (9, 4, 7) and Thailand (5, 9, 4).
Indonesia, which is the reigning champion, sits in fourth place with 5 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals.
Indonesia could only add a silver and two bronze medals on Wednesday.
Commenting on Indonesia's achievement during the SEA Games thus far, chairman of the Indonesian Sport Committee (KONI) Tono Suratman said that Indonesia was still able to grab more golds and become the overall champion of the games once again.
'There are many events left for us to collect more golds in, especially athletics, badminton, karate and taekwondo. I'm still hoping that Indonesia can be in the top three and if possible become the overall winner of the games,' he said.
