Southeast Asian Games 2025

[dcmdtruefan 40]

31 minutes ago, Griff88 said:

I think business as usual, because we are not mining medals in swimming and athletics. At best we could be third on the medal tally.

 

Our aquatics federation did a lot of preparation compared to previous editions, let's see how they fare against Singapore and Vietnam. Athletics held training camp in Japan and Kenya. In badminton we only send the best young athletes, but people expect Thailand to dominate as they send all their world class players (as you might expect from a host).

I can see Indonesia's athletics and swimming teams doing slightly better than in 2023 since their junior teams are improving and they have facilities from the 2018 Asian Games that are conducive to some quality training. However, it will take time from them to challenge the top 2 spots in the medal tally of those respective sports, perhaps by 2029. I think archery and tennis will be some of the Indonesia's best performing Olympic sports in this year's Sea Games. I think their men's football and volleyball teams has a 50-50 chance to defend their gold medals. 

 

In terms of badminton, I don't think the Thai players are too ethusiastic in competing in the Sea Games, especially the ones who are qualified to compete in the world tour finals. They know that the Thai sports authorities and badminton association are calling them up so they can fulfill their gold medal targets and KPI goals so the governing body can get more government funding. 

 

I can tell you based on social media updates that Kunlavut Vitidsarn is not going to compete in the individual event as he stated as such to Thai media as of yesterday. He stated that he will only compete in the team event as he is recovering from his wisdom tooth surgery weeks ago and is only 80 percent fit at the moment and wants to preserve his health for the world tour finals. I am happy about that and I hope that the other Thais such as Pornpawee, Dechapol, Supissara and Ratchanok will follow suit and not compete in the individual events because the Sea Games is really a venue for the youngsters and the more accomplished players should focus on the world tour finals. 

Edited December 3 by dcmdtruefan

[Griff88 2,008]

2 hours ago, dcmdtruefan said:

In terms of badminton, I don't think the Thai players are too ethusiastic in competing in the Sea Games, especially the ones who are qualified to compete in the world tour finals. They know that the Thai sports authorities and badminton association are calling them up so they can fulfill their gold medal targets and KPI goals so the governing body can get more government funding. 

 

I can tell you based on social media updates that Kunlavut Vitidsarn is not going to compete in the individual event as he stated as such to Thai media as of yesterday. He stated that he will only compete in the team event as he is recovering from his wisdom tooth surgery weeks ago and is only 80 percent fit at the moment and wants to preserve his health for the world tour finals. I am happy about that and I hope that the other Thais such as Pornpawee, Dechapol, Supissara and Ratchanok will follow suit and not compete in the individual events because the Sea Games is really a venue for the youngsters and the more accomplished players should focus on the world tour finals. 

Yeah there was a dispute regarding stipend months earlier among the top players and the BAT for the SEA Games. Pornpawee had actually resigned from the team but after a few negotiations, she stays in the team. The players who had qualified for the World Tour Finals must be under pressure by the higher ups, as the scheduling made it possible to actually play in individual events and later in the World Tour Finals.

[PHI2019 309]

Only saw this article today. Really getting rusty.

 

10 SEA Games events moved to Bangkok after Songkhla flooding

 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/sea-games-songkhla-flood-hat-yai-events-relocated-bangkok-5495171

[Griff88 2,008]

Schedule and results: https://wrs.gmsmate.com/seagames2025/

 

Broadcast graphics looks quite good too

[phelps 8,286]

for those who are interested (especially in the Western World), the OTT service MeWatch from  has 3 live channels and full ondemand content available (with English commentary)

 

Free registration is necessary, as also a  VPN

[Griff88 2,008]

Well that was a disappointing opening ceremony. Not to mention the boss is late too...

 

Anyway this is another victim of bureaucracy, the initial creative director quit in October and we get this kind of show.

 

Original plan:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17EVayTpig/

[dcmdtruefan 40]

4 hours ago, Griff88 said:

Well that was a disappointing opening ceremony. Not to mention the boss is late too...

 

Anyway this is another victim of bureaucracy, the initial creative director quit in October and we get this kind of show.

 

Original plan:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17EVayTpig/

Yeah. It was pretty bad that they cancel the contract with the original creative director after 7 months of work. I feel like politics, in this particular context of the changing of prime minister and the cabinet, may had caused changes in organizational decisions regarding the Sea Games including the direction of the opening ceremony.