IT was a spectacular opening ceremony for the 30th SEA Games at the world’s biggest indoor arena, the Philippine Arena, in Bulacan, last night.
In a departure from tradition, the opening ceremony was held in an indoor arena rather than a stadium.
Also, for the first time in the biennial games’ 60-year history, the cauldron was placed at a different location, at the New Clark City athletics stadium, some 90km from Bulacan, and the lighting of it was shown on screen at the 55,000-capacity arena.
Led by flag-bearer and 2018 bowling world champion Rafiq Ismail, the Malaysian contingent was represented by a delegation of about 100, including chef de mission Megat Zulkarnain Omardin and his two deputies, Nurul Huda Abdullah and Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli.
More than 8,000 athletes from the 10 Asean countries and Timor Leste will compete in 530 events in 56 sports at the three main clusters – Manila, Clark and Subic.
World renowned Filipino boxers Manny Pacquiao and Nesthy Petecio were given the honour as torchbearers before they jointly lit the cauldron to officially mark the beginning of the 30th SEA Games, after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had declared it open.
Themed “We Win As One”, the games will run for 12 days until the closing ceremony at the New Clark City stadium on December 11.
Malaysia has a contingent of 773 athletes and 339 officials to participate in 52 sports, targeting 70 gold, 51 silver and 105 bronze medals, which is expected to place the team fourth overall. – December 1, 2019.
The Malaysia delegation enters the stage during the opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Dancers perform at opening ceremony, entertaining those at the Philippine Arena. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Dancers in their colourful costumes entertain during the SEA Games 2019 opening ceremony. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.The Cambodia delegation enters the stage during the opening ceremony in Bulacan. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Athletes and officials from Indonesia in their traditional garb when they march during the opening ceremony. – AFP pic, December 1, 2019.Philippine boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is seen on a pre-recorded video as he leads the lighting of the cauldron shown during the opening ceremony. – AFP pic, December 1, 2019.A Filipino supervising a cleaning crew walks towards a tunnel of the New Clark City athletics stadium, one of the venues of the SEA Games. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Issaree Turon (right, top) of Thailand in action during the water polo women’s double round robin match against Philippines at the New Clark City aquatics centre in Capas. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Elite Filipino police patrol the exterior of the New Clark City aquatics centre ahead of the opening ceremony. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.A fan from Thailand reacts during the men’s first round football match between Brunei and Thailand. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Muhammad Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak (centre) of Malaysia against Filipino players Christian Rontini (left) and Justin Baas (right) during the men’s first round match. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.Yee Jia Ooi of Singapore celebrates after scoring a goal against the Philippines during the men’s water polo round robin match. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.
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