41 sports, 388 golds okayed for next year’s SEA Games

The Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) yesterday approved with finality the 41 events the 11-member nations will compete in and the 388 gold medals the athletes will dispute when the country hosts the 23rd edition of the biennial regional games next year.

"We’re happy that the SEAG Federation has cooperated with us in our goal to make this event cost-efficient," said Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee (Philsoc) and Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit after the SEAGF meeting at the New World Hotel in Makati City that was concluded before noon.

The bulk of the gold medals to be contested will come from athletics, with 45 gold medals staked, including two new additions in men’s and women’s walkathon, and aquatics — swimming (32), diving (eight) and water polo (one).

Shooting, a gold mine both for Vietnam and Thailand in past SEA Games competitions, was pruned down to 21 from 45 in the 2003 Hanoi edition that included four practical shooting events where the Filipinos are strong at.

Also approved were wushu (18), taekwondo (16), judo (14), karate (14), boxing (14), billiards and snookers (14), fencing (12), wrestling (11), bowling (10), rowing (9), canoe/kayak (6), chess (6), dragon boat (6), archery (4), golf (4), basketball (2), dancesports (2), equestrian (2), softball (2) and triathlon (2) — events where the country has strong gold medal chances.

Arnis, which is also expected to boost the country’s bid for a first-ever overall championship, will be played as a regular sport for the first time with six gold medals up for grabs.

Other events on tap are gymnastics (18), pencak silat (14), cycling (12), sailing (11), weightlifting (8), Petanque (6), badminton (5), sepak takraw (4), table tennis (4), volleyball (4), bodybuilding (4), muay (4), lawn tennis (4), squash (2), football (2) and baseball (1).