SEA Games 2005 opens in Manila

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has declared the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games open in a glittering ceremony at the Aquino sports stadium in Central Manila.

Fireworks lit up the night sky Sunday as thousands of spectators packed the stadium to cheer the 5,000 plus athletes from 11 nations who will compete in the nine-day event.

Members of the region's royal houses attended the ceremonies. Among them were Prince Norodom Ranariddh of Cambodia, Brunei's Prince Sufri Bolkiah and Thai Princess Sievannarvari Nariratana and Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Former Olympic and Southeast Asian Games medalists from the Philippines opened the ceremonies followed by delegates from each of the 11 participating countries.

Thousands of athletes and sports officials from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam compete for 441 gold medals in the nine-day showpiece to be held in different Philippine cities, including Cebu, Subic Bay, Tagaytay, Bacolod, and Metro Manila.

Indonesia had the biggest delegation with 609 athletes while East Timor had 33 athletes.

An estimated 5,336 athletes will compete in 41 events which will run from November 27 to December 5.

The SEA Games are held every two years, with the last event hosted by Vietnam. Thailand is scheduled to host them in 2007.

Host nation the Philippines aims to top the medal table at games but with football the main focus the glory could go to Thailand, sports officials have said.

Source: Condensed from AFP

To check the latest results, go to the official SEA Games website.

More Philippine News - Lifestyle >>

Top of News - SEA Games 2005 opens in Manila


Select Philippines Travel and Business Guide