Ice Hockey
4 new sports we can now watch in 2017 SEA Games
Sporting history will be made in Malaysia when these events make their debut!
The 29th Southeast Asian Games will officially kick-off in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur on 19th August 2017.
All 11 members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) will participate in this year’s event with a total of 38 sports being contested. Alongside mainstay traditional sports like athletics, this year’s games will include several new sports as well. Some of which are literally ‘cool’ in the truest sense.
Brace Yourself, Winter Is Coming
For the first time ever in the history of the SEA Games, winter sports will be contested and as full-fledged medal events as well. The decision by the organisers could pave the way for South East Asian nations to participate in future winter games including the winter Olympics, especially in the following categories…
Local events has promoted ice hockey in the region
© Malaysia Ice Hockey Federation
ICE HOCKEY
Total Categories: 1 (Men’s Team)
Nations To Watch: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand
The Lowdown: Despite being in a tropical climate, Ice Hockey has nevertheless found a strong foothold in the region. The sport was established in Malaysia in 2006 and the local boys have managed to claim impressive results in several tournaments and games in Asia. At the 2008 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia, Malaysia finished 2nd in the tournament and in 2012, they claimed 3rd. The team has also participated in the 2017 Asian Winter Games recently where they finished 5th under Men's Division II.
Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez
© 123rf.com
FIGURE SKATING
Total Categories: 2 (Men & Women’s Individual)
Athletes To Watch: Bunthoeurn Sen and Mayor Neng (Cambodia), Michael Christian Martinez (Philippines), Cheyenne Goh (Singapore)
The Lowdown: Most of the athletes vying to compete for honours in this event will be using the SEA Games as a platform to gain experience, which will boost their chances of competing in other winter events in the future. That seems to be the game plan for Malaysian figure skater, Chew Kai Xiang. The 16-year-old is training hard to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea but he and the rest of the field will be facing stiff competition from Philippine skater, Michael Christian Martinez. The 20-year-old is the odds-on favourite as he’s the first South East Asian to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Singaporean ice skater Lucas Ng
© Singapore Ice Skating Association
SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING
Total Categories: 6 (Men & Women’s 1000m, 500m Relay 3000m)
Athletes To Watch: Lucas Ng (Singapore), Wong De-Vin (Malaysia), Ariff Rasydan Fadzli (Malaysia)
The Lowdown: Malaysia has a good chance of doing well in this event following the strong results garnered by both Ariff Rasydan Fadzli and Wong De-Vin in recent times. The former managed a gold in the 1000m and silver in the 500m short track speed skating events at the Melbourne Open in September 2015 whilst De-Vin emerged runner up in both the 1500m and 500m men’s senior events at the Southeast Asian Short Track Trophy in January this year. Both skaters will have to work doubly hard to contend with Singaporean short-track speed skater, Lucas Ng who claimed both gold medals at that event.
It's had a strong foothold since colonial times
© Malaysian Cricket.Org
CRICKET
Total Categories: 3 (Men’s Team 50 Over, Men’s Team Twenty20, Women’s Twenty20)
Nations To Watch: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar and Indonesia.
The Lowdown: Colonial influence has given rise to the game of cricket here in this region. Indonesia is already targeting Gold in both the men’s and women’s categories and they’ve despatched their teams to India for friendly matches as part of its tune-up. However, Malaysia could capitalise on its home ground advantage and emerge as spoilers much like how the U-23 team did last August when they claimed victory over Zimbabwe during the Malaysia 2016 tour.
The 29th Southeast Asian Games takes place between 19th and 31st August 2017. For further information on the games, as well as event listings, go here.