SEA Games explained
The Southeast Asian Games, commonly known as SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The games are under the regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The SEA Games is one of the five subregional Games of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).[1]
History
The SEA Games owes its origins to the South East Asian Peninsular Games or SEAP Games (abbreviated as SEAPG). On 22 May 1958, delegates from the countries in Southeast Asian Peninsula attending the Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan had a meeting and agreed to establish a sports organization. The SEAP Games was conceptualized by Luang Sukhum Nayapradit, then vice-president of the Thailand Olympic Committee. The proposed rationale was that a regional sports event will help promote co-operation, understanding, and relations among countries in the Southeast Asian region.
Six countries, Burma (now Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Malaya (now Malaysia), Thailand and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) were the founding members. These countries agreed to hold the Games biennially in June 1959 and the SEAP Games Federation Committee was formed thereafter.
The first SEAP Games were held in Bangkok from 12 to 17 December 1959, with more than 527 athletes and officials from 6 countries; Burma (now Myanmar), Laos, Malaya, Singapore, South Vietnam and Thailand participated in 12 sports.
At the 8th SEAP Games in 1975, while South Vietnam was fallen and no longer existed, the SEAP Federation considered the inclusion of Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These countries were formally admitted in 1977, the same year when SEAP Federation changed their name to the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), and the games were known as the Southeast Asian Games. The unified Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) returned back at the 15th SEA Games in 1989. East Timor, one year after gaining independence from Indonesia, was admitted at the 22nd SEA Games in 2003.
The 2009 SEA Games was the first time Laos has ever hosted a SEA Games (Laos had previously declined to host the 1965 SEAP Games citing financial difficulties). Running from 9–18 December, it has also commemorated the 50 years of the SEA Games, held in Vientiane, Laos. The 2023 SEA Games, held from 5–17 May, was the first time Cambodia has ever hosted a SEA Games (Cambodia was awarded the 1963 SEAP Games, which was cancelled due to domestic political situation).
Symbol
The Southeast Asian Games symbol was introduced during the 1959 SEAP Games in Bangkok, depicting six rings that represent the six founding members and was used until the 1997 edition in Jakarta. The number of rings increased to 10 during the 1999 edition in Brunei to reflect the inclusion of Singapore, which was admitted into the Southeast Asian Games Federation in 1961, and Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which joined the organization in 1977. The number of rings was again increased to 11 during the 2011 Games in Indonesia to reflect the federation's newest member, East Timor, which was admitted in 2003.
Participating NOCs
| Debuted | IOC code | Other codes used |
|---|
| 1977 | BRU | BRN (ISO) |
| 1961 | CAM | KHM (1972–1976, ISO) |
| 1977 | INA | IHO (1952), IDN (FIFA, ISO) |
| 1959 | LAO | |
| 1959 | MAS | MAL (1952−1988), MYS (ISO) |
| 1959 | MYA | BIR (1948–1988), MMR (ISO) |
| 1977 | PHI | PHL (ISO) |
| 1959 | SGP | SIN (1959–2016) |
| 1959 | THA | |
| 2003 | TLS | IOA (2000) |
| 1959 | VIE | VET (1964), VNM (1968–1976, ISO) | |
List of SEA Games
See main article: List of SEA Games host cities.
Games! rowspan="1" | Year | Host cities | Opened by | Date | Sports | Events | Nations | Competitors | Top-ranked team | Ref |
|---|
| SEAP Games |
|---|
| 1 | 1959 |  Bangkok, Thailand | King Bhumibol Adulyadej | 12–17 December 1959 | 12 | 67 | 6 | 518 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=vB6K5E3bTbSbaay2ZaIQp8hO7n0RmiRDOzxXMCFxrjge0YmtFRmezwEKMMcZW2SZMAGqUbftyeLzRyo5cI+Eeg== |
| 2 | 1961 | Yangon, Burma | President Win Maung | 11–16 December 1961 | 13 | 86 | 7 | 623 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=vB6K5E3bTbSbaay2ZaIQp13yXhzvdgDCmTi1DEp04eh0PClMx0bcl6O2Y1PXkYe4QvQJ2estcU2eCBSb94Y2IA== |
| 3 | 1965 |  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Ismail Nasiruddin | 14–21 December 1965 | 14 | 134 | 7 | 963 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFscVG8BWx29pF4p9I39blYhgmp9N8LGL4zzJq2wWAfesdIRJJZycWY9NdPLhmTsG8g== |
| 4 | 1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | King Bhumibol Adulyadej | 9–16 December 1967 | 16 | 144 | 6 | 984 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFt04avxVZtrVcrmtU2ceoPML0viPEooEZfXPsbXea2Ziir+nysAA+WRbdM0bkn7Qug== |
| 5 | 1969 | Yangon, Burma | Prime Minister Ne Win | 6–13 December 1969 | 15 | 145 | 920 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFqUMuKGGQ5+f0dQs7Yi/UXa/aAhES4nffu0h8ELhylqKFH+0eGleWftnuoHUcmnYwQ== |
| 6 | 1971 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdul Halim | 6–13 December 1971 | 15 | 156 | 7 | 957 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFi1DqK8mV+i7d1x3lEY4ykH9M8uninqCq4Zc2iqrbLoIlfhs0Cb7BxlTLi1u8S7UTw== |
| 7 | 1973 |  Singapore | President Benjamin Sheares | 1–8 September 1973 | 16 | 161 | 1632 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFuE6eUFFaG/6yHbBRDy31tzlqbUukyMis7n69b6kOKijKzRGyRUWuppZocC09j22Kw== |
| 8 | 1975 | Bangkok, Thailand | King Bhumibol Adulyadej | 9–16 December 1975 | 18 | 172 | 4 | 1142 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFiXp9c3JevuT5+xDmH869zpdLov8g39B+wWLyE2PdVPuqAgcAxq8CnJsXTtoX5L15Q== |
| SEA Games |
|---|
| 9 | 1977 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Yahya Petra | 19–26 November 1977 | 18 | 188 | 7 | N/A | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFuT29EBOSoldZVC1AVzvM4Lu94I1SeM8cdBJfz9zwsckuxfbj5Nc/SL5zq/cuE+OTg== |
| 10 | 1979 |  Jakarta, Indonesia | President Soeharto | 21–30 September 1979 | 18 | 226 | N/A | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFhmfcVFL+1HCC1TNslkrHriv/o3vx33yOl5EWhYQ7sjUQmQgKh711ZloSOoVNnzkmw== |
| 11 | 1981 | Manila, Philippines | President Ferdinand Marcos | 6–15 December 1981 | 18 | 245 | ≈1800 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFqF1abEccmysuNLHz9BbkWY6V1Je1iigvlSYYnOmxSKxI+srg0aF6pcyBMDOV73FTw== |
| 12 | 1983 | Singapore | President Devan Nair | 28 May – 6 June 1983 | 18 | 233 | 8 | N/A | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=XHreq1g4oYTZIf3o6y9FFjH0G1TcWtwKEvv4Dfcz2LxKcuBmxJ4VgAZF+WV/++SxRemdPU39sz61PUI0k7NSKQ== |
| 13 | 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | King Bhumibol Adulyadej | 8–17 December 1985 | 18 | 251 | N/A | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=Ye9/ZdtgZovn3J/OQ0+sD08HdI2hdZJRQFXjlIxUUQrt3UVqsoNkInCFsy/iRO3acEbGs7rm7ntms76jdCdfig== |
| 14 | 1987 | Jakarta, Indonesia | President Soeharto | 9–20 September 1987 | 26 | 372 | N/A | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=Ye9/ZdtgZovn3J/OQ0+sD04nmW/Mftv7EI9ujmxlPwMRD2+c6cFcUNZ83IkkyGoT8pmSJG/ecQAfn1COaq4v+g== |
| 15 | 1989 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Azlan Shah | 20–31 August 1989 | 24 | 302 | 9 | ≈2800 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=Ye9/ZdtgZovn3J/OQ0+sD6OxemWyMke9nGNuvnlnej/PaybmQzl2JQVEXc2bUx5lYzMen+hA4Mw7Mo78CRU/8Q== |
| 16 | 1991 | Manila, Philippines | President Corazon Aquino | 24 November – 3 December 1991 | 28 | 327 | N/A | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=Ye9/ZdtgZovn3J/OQ0+sD9gEFSizHE1jVoAuWOj9KCu0OwdNi7cmsCKbobU7DDSMr2cxNSo/E4/sgom6MhC2bg== |
| 17 | 1993 | Singapore | President Wee Kim Wee | 12–20 June 1993 | 29 | 318 | ≈3000 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=Ye9/ZdtgZovn3J/OQ0+sDx/NqDzXGf93kYcQiT0RmvPQlyP8bFGPMJBGtLjMEaQArVw0ILUwiFRz2W5YSQK5UQ== |
| 18 | 1995 | Chiang Mai, Thailand | Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn | 9–17 December 1995 | 28 | 335 | 10 | 3262 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=v6wVopT8epAuVqcT3nvcVFJ+1HUC+Snff1yIGxMtGRWS0o22vBVCMNh52lXXsE3+a/VN26qQT9yEPYZseB8P2Q== |
| 19 | 1997 | Jakarta, Indonesia | President Soeharto | 11–19 October 1997 | 36 | 490 | 5179 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=v6wVopT8epAuVqcT3nvcVJ9eFUzSekTnonpVK2vA8aqidAQOUPX/K0rCTl19/yQ1jVlPP3lm4NeKa9LDEVb5og== |
| 20 | 1999 | Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah | 7–15 August 1999 | 21 | 233 | 2365 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=v6wVopT8epAuVqcT3nvcVPrexFXIIhQtx4LsLJa/EX0VpGNLqeVE9t6ZP4mhlBiZdIRfJk12VsI+sJYXIb1EkA== |
| 21 | 2001 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Salahuddin | 8–17 September 2001 | 32 | 391 | 4165 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=J1dbR2Z5Zhju9k3qSk/TfnGoKcuIKSrNirX/Lr8ngsrmH6JDmytG1NiVz1AAQ8FJAMsjFfQW96Uu57SPnMuz6A== |
| 22 | 2003 | Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải | 5–13 December 2003 | 32 | 442 | 11 | ≈5000 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=J1dbR2Z5Zhju9k3qSk/Tfi7+Gv5j4b2uhF0LQfTyM030tp+7yYqqJ4mURIgSWa5aORYHKfZCuxUJxyoIjdvx4A== |
| 23 | 2005 | Manila, Philippines | President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo | 27 November – 5 December 2005 | 40 | 443 | 5336 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=J1dbR2Z5Zhju9k3qSk/TfuWI4EAn0ZTQg4yomYPPhXQ4ZrXDkHAi1Xvh0tn9sflRHwSd40hazI34mXJ5IrBTyw== |
| 24 | 2007 | Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand | Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn | 6–15 December 2007 | 43 | 475 | 5282 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=NtpwTOliipDwo6ShqBnESz3ZS3E1Fhw4DZ0xIvBh52DiUOaefGVlYmI7dh7YK60xTw+XWC5WaDC+D1/ts1MqVg== |
| 25 | 2009 | Vientiane, Laos | President Choummaly Sayasone | 9–18 December 2009 | 29 | 372 | 3100 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=J1dbR2Z5Zhju9k3qSk/TftbJ9vB//UPlW85B2RFQ7ozs9w6rjAWz8IRD3Awjev+kgYgLZjSRjaYi7SEYLODfSw== |
| 26 | 2011 | Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia | President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono | 11–22 November 2011 | 44 | 545 | 5965 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=J1dbR2Z5Zhju9k3qSk/TfmR8mAYCqZTznAoKUwwqPqG84ZnVCLSuSx02FVwp4e0Q0arA5Gi00+MuwzT1SYNwVA== |
| 27 | 2013 | Naypyidaw, Myanmar | Vice President Nyan Tun | 11–22 December 2013 | 37 | 460 | 4730 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=NtpwTOliipDwo6ShqBnES1hsYtfwQdSXNn+lURXo/TCdQBDEwMREp6r3XxfOFPBh0Vc8vxMMxmdm6qrTCA1RDQ== |
| 28 | 2015 | Singapore | President Tony Tan | 5–16 June 2015 | 36 | 402 | 4370 | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=NtpwTOliipDwo6ShqBnES8krNZGon0IZI+akTNiOLzlTcKOX18LmyvsDkaTeUD5tG66v3zXc86SsGLuXNAa5iQ== |
| 29 | 2017 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Muhammad V | 19–30 August 2017 | 38 | 404 | 4709 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=NtpwTOliipDwo6ShqBnES4nydFBw5FkrpDl4zAO+NhKhaEW+uFfjqp3LnotWVBJFLARn242TQe6pDIJdGfbi0g== |
| 30 | 2019 | Philippines | President Rodrigo Duterte | 30 November – 11 December 2019 | 56 | 530 | 5630 | | http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GHAFDetails?q=NtpwTOliipDwo6ShqBnES6Hu2rKNoep1wiQPWHLIZPpcQURNk2GfMVLfUe2HxIbgBIMTBdo6hoL+jQCwdH6NRA== |
| 31 | 2021 | Hanoi, Vietnam | President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc | 12–23 May 2022 | 40 | 523 | 5467 | | |
| 32 | 2023 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Prime Minister Hun Sen | 5–17 May 2023 | 37 | 584 | 6210 | |
| 33 | 2025 | Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, Thailand | King Vajiralongkorn (expected) | 9–20 December 2025 | 39 | Future event |
| 34 | 2027 | Malaysia[2] | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (expected) | Future event |
| 35 | 2029 | Singapore[3] | Future event |
| 36 | 2031 | TBA, Laos[4] | Future event |
| 37 | 2033 |  TBA, Philippines | Future event | |
The 1963 SEAP Games were cancelled. As the designated host, Cambodia was unable to host the event due to instability in the country, along with a disagreement with the International Amateur Athletic Federation. The 3rd SEAP Games then passed to Laos as hosts, but they begged off the 1965 event citing financial difficulties.[5] In 2023, Cambodia was finally able to host the sports event for the first time at its newly built sports complex.[6]
Sports
See main article: article and SEA Games sports. According to the SEAGF Charter and Rules, a host nation must stage a minimum of 22 sports: the two compulsory sports from Category 1 (athletics and aquatics), in addition to a minimum of 14 sports from Category 2 (Olympics and Asian Games mandatory sports), and a maximum of 8 sports from Category 3. Each sport shall not offer more than 5% of the total medal tally, except for athletics, aquatics and shooting (the shot was elevated for this category in 2013). For each sport and event to be included, a minimum of four countries must participate in it. Sports competed in the Olympic Games and Asian Games must be given priority.[7] [8]
This charter was modified in 2023 when new rules will guide the Games. Each edition will have a maximum of 36 sports, composed as follows:The compulsory Category 1 now comprises two subcategories: 1A, which consists of aquatics and athletics, and 1B, a minimum of 10 Olympic sports from the Summer Olympic Games. Under Category 2, the host must include a minimum of 10 other sports from the Olympic Games (summer/winter), Asian Games, and Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games or Beach Games. Category 3 is now capped at a maximum of four sports.[9] [10] The first games with the new charter in effect will be held in 2025.[11]
All-time medal table
Corrected after balancing the data of the Olympic Council of Asia and other archived sites which had kept the previous Southeast Asian Games medal tables. Some information from the aforementioned sites are missing, incorrect and or not updated.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]
List of multiple Southeast Asian Games medalists
See main article: List of multiple Southeast Asian Games medalists. Various individuals have won multiple medals at the Games, including the preceding Southeast Asian Peninsular Games.
As of 2019, Singaporean swimmer Joscelin Yeo has won the most Southeast Asian Games medals with 55 (40 gold, 12 silver, 3 bronze). She reached this milestone during the 2005 Games, overtaking the previous record of 39 gold medals set by another Singaporean swimmer Patricia Chan.
Criticism
One unique characteristic of the event is that there are no official limits to the number of sports and events to be contested, and the range can be decided by the organizing host pending approval by the Southeast Asian Games Federation. Aside from mandatory sports, the host is free to drop or introduce other sports or events (See SEA Games sports).[19] This leeway has resulted in hosts maximizing their medal hauls by dropping sports disadvantageous to themselves relative to their peers and the introduction of obscure sports, often at short notice, thus preventing most other nations from building credible opponents.[20] [21] [22] Several nations have called for amending the charter of the games to address the issue.[23] [24] In 2023, the SEA Games charter was modified in an effort to make the number of sports in each edition more standardized, reducing the host's leeway to remove several sports, maximize medal hauls by introducing obscure local sports, and tamper with the competition's rules.[25]
See also
- Events of the OCA (Continental)
- Events of the OCA (Subregional)
- Events of the APC (Continental)
- Events of the APC (Subregional)
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GamesL1.aspx?GPCode=4 Games page
- Web site: Malaysia to host 2027 SEA Games . The Star . 12 May 2022.
- Web site: Singapore to host 2029 SEA Games. 12 May 2022.
- Web site: Cua . Aric John Sy . 2022-07-13 . PH to host SEA Games in 2033 . 2022-07-13 . The Manila Times . en.
- Web site: History of the SEA Games . www.olympic.org.my . 26 February 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20041217101809/http://www.olympic.org.my/web/gamesrecords/sea/sea_history.htm . 17 December 2004 .
- Web site: 2023-11-18 . Cambodia celebrates success in first-time hosting of SEA Games - Khmer Times . 2024-07-03 . en-US.
- Web site: South East Asian Games Federation: Charter and Rules . SEAGF . 30 May 2010 . 30 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307182744/http://voc.org.vn/Portals/0/2013-SEAG%20Charter.pdf . 7 March 2016 . live .
- Web site: A cool addition to the SEA Games. Ian De Cotta. Today Online. 5 June 2015. 5 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150620080805/http://www.todayonline.com/sports/cool-addition-sea-games. 20 June 2015.
- News: Lee . David . 2023-05-17 . SEA Games sports programme to be standardised from 2025 to 2029 . en . The Straits Times . 2023-05-19 . 0585-3923.
- Web site: May 5, 2023 . ยกเครื่องซีเกมส์! เลิกเน้นกีฬาพื้นบ้าน-เริ่มที่ไทยหนหน้า . Overhaul the SEA Games! Stop focusing on local sports – start in Thailand next . May 19, 2023 . Naewna . th.
- Web site: Navarro . June . 2023-05-17 . Bambol assurance: Drastic reduction of indigenous games in next SEA Games calendar . 2023-05-19 . INQUIRER.net . en.
- Web site: South East Asian Games Medal Count . 31 August 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170903151241/http://www.ocasia.org/Game/NocsMedalCount.aspx?SYCXGjC0df+J2ChZBk5tvA. 3 September 2017.
- http://www.seagfoffice.org/ SEAP Games Federation
- https://web.archive.org/web/19980111005738/http://seagames.wasantara.net.id/medali59-95/medals.htm Medal Tally 1959-1995
- https://web.archive.org/web/20081011071000/http://www.newsviews.info/sport09.html#sources Medal Tally
- https://web.archive.org/web/20041217101809/http://www.olympic.org.my/web/gamesrecords/sea/sea_history.htm History of the SEA Games
- https://web.archive.org/web/20091204132925/http://www.laoseagames2009.com/v1/seagamesxseapxstat.aspx SEA Games previous medal table
- https://web.archive.org/web/20011207141223/http://www.kl2001.com/index.html SEA Games members
- Web site: Southeast Asian Games yet to win gold for sporting spirit. South China Morning Post. Pattharapong Rattanasevee . 21 July 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170804234525/https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2103469/southeast-asian-games-yet-win-gold-sporting-spirit. 4 August 2017.
- News: Mariadass . Tony . November 24, 2019 . Sea Games morphing into a monster-cum-circus . New Straits Times . May 19, 2023.
- News: Mariadass . Tony . Sea Games reduced to a carnival . Free Malaysia Today . May 19, 2023.
- Web site: The SEA Games Contain the Seeds of Their Own Irrelevance . 2023-05-19 . thediplomat.com . en-US.
- Web site: September 20, 2022 . Indonesian NOC calls for amendment to Southeast Asian Games Federation Charter on sports programme . May 16, 2023 . Inside the Games.
- Web site: March 13, 2013 . "พลตรีจารึก" เตรียมเสนอปรับธรรมนูญสหพันธ์กีฬาซีเกมส์ . May 19, 2023 . Thai PBS . th.
- Web site: Henson . Joaquin . Bambol reveals new SEA Games order . 2023-05-19 . Philstar.com.
