2023 SEA Games ends after 11 days


The 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia has ended, with the next edition set to take place in Thailand in 2025. – Facebook pic, May 17, 2023.

AFTER 11 days of competition, drama, grit and emotions, the 2023 SEA Games came to a glittering end via a spectacular closing ceremony at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh today.

A heavy downpour hours before the ceremony did not spoil festivities, which saw a spectacular show of lights, visual and audio effects, fireworks and Cambodian culture for 75,000 spectators whose spirits or enthusiasm was not dampened by the rain.

The show commenced with a musical performance by several local singers and dancers, followed by a stunning martial arts performance in the “The Great Soul of Kun Bokator” segment.

Kun Bokator is a Khmer traditional martial art, which was one of the sports contested at the biennial Games for the first time.

The audience were later treated to a spectacular display of special highlights compiled throughout the Games, including the special appearance of Cambodian national athlete, Bou Sammang, who made her way to the centre of the field amid thunderous applause from the audience.

Despite finishing last, Sammang won the hearts of local and international sports fans as she refused to throw in the towel and continued to run in the rain during the women’s 5,000m race on May 8.

Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh then presented the Best Athletes of the 32nd SEA Games award to two female athletes – Singaporean swimmer Ting Wen Quah and Cambodian vovinam representative Pal Choraksmey – due to their remarkable achievements.

Wen Quah secured six gold and two silver medals from the pool while Choraksmey secured four gold, one silver and one bronze.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen then delivered his closing speech.

While the flame was doused in Phnom Penh, the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) flag-lowering ceremony took place with 64 children performing the SEAGF anthem.

The flag was handed over by Banh from the SEA Games Organising Committee to the National Olympic Committee of Thailand’s Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, as Thailand will be hosting the next SEA Games in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla from December 9 to 20, 2025.

Vietnam had once again conquered the medal tally as they took home 136 gold, 105 silver and 118 bronze medals, and repeated the success of the last edition where the country won 205 gold, 70 silver and 104 bronze medals when they hosted the 2021 SEA Games.

Malaysia however recorded their worst-ever achievement in SEA Games history by finishing seventh with 34 gold, 45 silver and 97 bronze medals, failing to meet their target of 40 gold medals. – Bernama, May 17, 2023.



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