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Aug 20, 2017 / 19:38

29th Southeast Asian Games kicks off

On August 19, the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games officially kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following a colorful opening ceremony held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which impressed everyone in attendance with a stunning light show and dazzling firework displays.

Members of the Vietnam sport delegation march on the Games opening night.
Members of the Vietnam sport delegation march on the Games opening night.
The ceremony began with the procession of the flags of the 11 participating countries, followed by a parade of contingents and athletes as well as the raising of the SEA Games Federation and the KL2017 flags.
President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, and Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, delivered their welcoming address.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Sultan Muhammad V, then declared the Games officially open, followed by an oath-taking ceremony read by Malaysia’s national high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa.
The 29th edition of the Games, which runs from August 19 to 30, brings together some 4,900 athletes from 11 countries, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor Leste and hosts Malaysia.
A total of 404 gold medals in 38 sports is up for grabs, with ice skating, ice hockey, indoor hockey and cricket being held for the first time.
As of 10.30pm on August 19, Vietnam is sitting seventh in the provisional medal tally with three silvers and one bronze. Meanwhile, Malaysia still remains on top with seven gold medals, followed by Singapore and Thailand with three each.
Malayan tiger Rimau, the official mascot of the 29th SEA Games, appears at the National Stadium.
Malayan tiger Rimau, the official mascot of the 29th SEA Games, appears at the National Stadium.
The 2017 Southeast Asian Games officially known as the 29th Southeast Asian Games and commonly known as Kuala Lumpur 2017 is a Southeast Asian multi-sport event that will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19 to 30 August 2017, with 404 events in 38 sports to be featured in the games. This will be the sixth time Malaysia host the games and its first time since 2001. Previously, it also hosted 1965, 1971, 1977 and 1989 editions of the games.