BANGKOK: The Thailand SEA Games was one of the most complex Games ever organised, and proved to be very challenging.
The floods that forced 10 sports to be moved from venues in Songkhla to Bangkok and Chonburi only added to the difficulties.
Yet, the National Sports Council and Olympic Council of Malaysia succeeded not only in getting to the athletes to their venues on time but also made sure they were able to give their best, said chef de mission Nurul Huda Abdullah.
The Games, involving 50 sports, 573 events and 74 competition venues around Bangkok and Chonburi were most complex ever, she said.
Songkhla was originally supposed to host 10 sports but the Thai government decided to shift everything to the capital city due to floods in the province.
“It is one of the largest SEA Games ever and presented a very different challenge to us as participants.
“Venues were scattered all over Bangkok and some venues required almost two hours of travelling due to the traffic situation,” said Nurul, who praised the contribution of support staff and officials calling them the “backbone” of the contingent.
“This success does not belong to us here alone. It also belongs to the athletes, teams, sports associations, management and all Malaysians who provided support from home,” she said.
OCM secretary-general Datuk Nasir Ali said the decision to send a large and competitive contingent to participate in 50 sports will enable Malaysia to accurately assess their strengths and weaknesses ahead of the next Games in 2027.
“We can now know and understand our level of strength and ability.
“It provides a clear picture as we prepare for the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Penang and Johor,” he said.
