SEAG to stick to 542 events in 44 sports

MANILA, Philippines –  Organizers of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia stood firm on the number of sports to be played when they host the biennial event in November.

They said the 44 sports that were previously listed in their calendar will remain, and that if there are changes to be made, it will only be in the number of events.

The Indonesians have set two conditions amid numerous requests from other member countries regarding the inclusion of more sports and events as well.

One, no additional funds should be spent for the additional events being lobbied, and two, no new venues should be put up to accommodate such changes.

Initially listed by the organizers were 44 sports and 542 events. Even if no additions are made, this one promises to be the biggest SEA Games ever.

“Two conditions were applied by the hosts: no additional funds and no new venues,” said Monico Puentevella from Bali, Indonesia.

The vice chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee and head of the RP weightlifting association is in Bali for the SEA Games Federation meeting.

Also representing the Philippines were POC vice president Manny Lopez, secretary general Steve Hontiveros and treasurer Julian Camacho.

For diving, for instance, the only change was that the 3-meter springboard replaced the 1-meter springboard for both men and women.

 

And for billiards, the snooker events were scrapped, 10-ball was replaced by 8-ball for men’s singles and doubles, and that English billiards (singles and doubles) was added along with carom 1 cushion and 3 cushion (singles).

There will also be 8-ball and 9-ball singles for women.

In boxing, the categories to be contested are 49 kg, 52 kg, 56 kg, 60 kg, 64 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg and 81 kg.
As requested by the Philippines, individual standard chess was included.

For sailing, laser open (men and women), 470 class (men and women), RSX (men and women), mistral (men and women) were added. Optimist remains an open category.

Added in shooting are 50-m 3 position (men and women), 25m sports pistol (women), 25m rapid fire (men) and running target (women).

In weightlifting, the +69 kg class was added.

To be played in Jakarta are football, aquatics, baseball, boxing, gymnastics, petanque, roller skating, sepak takraw, shooting, softball, tennis, soft tennis, beach and indoor volleyball, wall climbing, water skiing, wrestling, fin swimming, cue sports, bridge, chess and weightlifting.

Events in Palembang are badminton, football (championship match), archery, karate, wushu, basketball, judo, bowling, cycling, sailing, canoe-kayak, traditional boat race, equestrian, fencing, futsal, golf, paragliding, pencak silat, kenpo, table tennis, vovinam (a Vietnamese martial art).

The Philippine Olympic Committee has yet to announce the number of events the Filipinos will take part in.


The Philippine Star