Olympic Council of Malaysia Pushes for Centralized Venues for 2027 SEA Games
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 29 (Bernama)
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has announced its intention to centralize competition venues around Kuching when Sarawak co-hosts the 2027 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).
No Scattered Venues
OCM secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib explained that the council does not want to repeat the mistake of the recent Malaysia Games (SUKMA), which was held across nine divisions in Sarawak in August. "Sarawak has requested to host the SEA Games opening ceremony and some sports like diving. However, we want events to be centralised in the same location because it would be challenging for other countries if the venues are too spread out," he said.
Prioritizing Kuching
The OCM will prioritize what Kuching can host, with some sports like sailing and track cycling having limited venue options. "We will discuss further once the Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) is established," Mohd Nazifuddin added.
MASOC Formation
MASOC is expected to be formed by mid-2025 to ensure Malaysia is ready to take over leadership of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) after the SEA Games in Thailand from December 9-20 next year.
Sports and Events
The OCM has asked national sports associations (NSAs) to submit proposals regarding plans for the SEA Games in Thailand and Malaysia to determine the list of sports and additional events for the biennial games. "Only then can we decide whether to host those sports or not. Additionally, if the opening ceremony is held in Sarawak, we want the closing ceremony to be in Kuala Lumpur," he said.
Other Interested Parties
Apart from Sarawak, Penang has expressed interest in hosting snooker and billiards, while Johor is keen to host football.
SEAGF Charter and Rules
According to the SEAGF Charter and Rules, organisers can include additional sports besides the mandatory ones like aquatics and athletics, provided at least four countries participate. The final list of sports and events must be communicated to participating nations at least 15 months before the SEA Games begin. The dates for the 2027 SEA Games have not been determined yet.
Conclusion
The OCM’s decision to centralize competition venues around Kuching is aimed at ensuring a smoother and more efficient SEA Games experience for participating countries. With the formation of MASOC and the submission of proposals from NSAs, the stage is set for a successful 2027 SEA Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the OCM pushing for centralized venues?
A: To ensure a smoother and more efficient SEA Games experience for participating countries.
Q: Which sports have limited venue options?
A: Sailing and track cycling are examples of sports with limited venue options.
Q: When is the expected formation of MASOC?
A: By mid-2025.
Q: What is the deadline for finalizing the list of sports and events?
A: At least 15 months before the SEA Games begin.