Bring SEA Games home for young talents – but keep off the wrong hands

 

The Southeast Asian Games have been a launchpad for many athletes who went from grassroots to greatness.

But nothing could possibly beat athletes getting their baptism of fire in front of their own fans in their own country.

Yet it seems Malaysia’s young talents might not be fortunate enough to experience this at the 2027 SEA Games as the government is having second thoughts about playing host.

Putrajaya is concerned about the cost of hosting the Games, estimated at RM700 million, and whether the investments serve public interest.

The question, as with most conversations about “to host or not to host”, is how the economic benefits will play out.

The problem is economic gains from multi-sport events are at best exaggerated and at worst non-existent.

The true value of the regional event is in its ability to inspire promising young athletes and in unearthing a rich seam of talent.

Transforming nobodies to heroes

Since home support can transform nobodies to heroes, now is the time to create the athlete no one saw coming.

With more funds pumped into sports, more development programmes, long-term training, better equipment, international exposure, and sports psychology, athletes will be highly motivated to make the nation proud on home ground.

The SEA Games are the only opportunity for many athletes to compete under the Malaysian flag and we know how much that means to them, our sports and supporters.

Greatness may be a subjective conceit but what we can say without disagreement is that past SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur ignited the fire that began the competitive journey of many Malaysian athletes.

That’s why many in the sporting fraternity are unsettled by the news that Malaysia, stepping in after Brunei withdrew, is having a rethink about hosting the 34th edition.

Historically Malaysia has been one of the most enthusiastic hosts of the Games, showing repeatedly our ability to deliver six remarkable events, the last one being in 2017.

As hosts, Malaysia raked in the medals, in some cases controversially, to create a general sense of happiness.

So the government’s stand this time, coming after having rightly turned down an offer to stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to prohibitive costs, doesn’t hit home.

A smaller Games

The difference between the Commonwealth Games, which involves 72 teams, and the 11-nation SEA Games is that it would be easier to repackage the latter into a more viable option, with radical changes.

There are many cost effective ways to organise the SEA Games like reducing the number of sports, cost of the opening and closing ceremonies, and accommodation.

Little money would need to be spent on stadiums and infrastructure, because the country already has them in place.

A smaller, more nimble SEA Games will ensure we are not left with large debts and maintenance liabilities as opposed to an extravaganza that requires a major investment in infrastructure and human capital.

It might also prompt the Southeast Asian Games Federation to reform the bidding and selection process to incentivise realistic budget planning, increase transparency, and promote sustainable investments.

KL-Kuching SEA Games

Tapping on the Sarawak government’s interest to co-host the 2027 SEA Games will make it a strong and feasible undertaking, with shared financial responsibilities.

Calling it the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching SEA Games, will bind the nation, carry a common and shared vision, and boost national pride.

A scaled-down version of, say, 20 sports using existing facilities in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, and putting athletes into university accommodation, makes absolute sense.

Other strategies must include creative marketing that is vital to draw commercial income, including ticketing, sponsorship and broadcasting.

For this to happen, everyone involved must ignore the temptations of self-indulgence, cheap vengeance, rivalry for its own sake, and pettiness in general.

Sarawak is capable of funding the biennial Games because it is a fast developing region and an appealing investment destination.

The availability of suitable facilities in Sarawak is not in question as it will host the Malaysia Games (Sukma) from Aug 17 to 24 this year.

It will cost them nearly RM300 million, with athletes competing in 488 events in 37 different sports.

Think about it

The first Games at Bangkok in 1959 was given a glimpse of a 16-year-old schoolboy sprinter, who later drew effusive tributes from the media and his rivals in Asia. His name? Mani Jegathesan.

In the years that followed, the Games served as a springboard onto greater success for many athletes, with some becoming Olympic champions and others reaching Asian standards.

Indonesian badminton icon Susi Susanti won the women’s singles and became the first Southeast Asian to win an Olympic gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Her compatriot, Alan Budikusuma, emerged men’s singles winner.

Featherweight boxer Somluck Kamsing built on his victory at the 1995 Chiangmai Games to become Thailand’s first Olympic champion at the Atlanta Games a year later, defeating Bulgarian world champion Serafim Todorov in the final.

Swimmer Joseph Schooling made history for Singapore when he won the country’s first Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games in 2016, beating US legend Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly, at the age of 21. He had one year earlier scooped a whopping nine gold medals at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

So, bring it on! - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.