Philippines lands in 6th spot at 2017 SEA Games
After 16 years, Malaysia once again hosted the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games which was branded as Kuala Lumpur 2017. The year 2017 will also mark Malaysia’s 60th year of independence which is an important milestone in their nation’s history. Along with other competing countries, the Philippines also competed at the 29th Southeast Asian Games which took place in Malaysia from August 19- 30, 2017.
The Philippines finished the 29th SEA Games in 6th place after competing in 37 out of the 38 sports, with a medal haul of 24 Golds, 33 Silvers and 64 Bronze which is the country’s worst finish in 18 years. The host country, Malaysia finished first with a total of 145 gold medals, followed by the following countries:
- 2nd Place: Thailand with 72 gold medals
- 3rd Place: Vietnam with 58 gold medals
- 4th Place: Singapore with 57 gold medals
- 5th Place: Indonesia with 38 gold medals
One reason for the Philippines’ low medal haul, according to Miss Cynthia Carrion, chef-de-mission of the Philippines is the selection of sports by the host nation (Malaysia) where they would excel, and the sports where the Philippines was virtually assured of gold were removed.
“The sports that we were very good at, like boxing, they removed. Women’s weightlifting was removed. Softball, which we’re very good at, they removed.Female boxers did not compete in the 2017 SEA Games, depriving Josie Gabuco, Nesthy Petacio, and Irish Magno a chance to add to the country’s medal total. The nation’s most celebrated athlete, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, did not get a chance either as women’s weightlifting was not included as well.” said Carreon.
IMAGE PhilStar
IMAGE ListPH
This year’s SEA Games may be a disappointing campaign but despite the downfall, the Philippines was still able to bring home medals for triathlon (first time to bring home both gold and silver medals), Wushu, Penchak Silat (Men’s 45 kg), Lawn Bowls (Men’s Fours), and Ice Hockey (first in the history of the SEA Games), basketball, billiards, boxing, etc.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary, Allan Peter Cayetano on the other hand, asks Filipinos to look ahead to 2019, when the Philippines will once again host the upcoming 2019 Sea Games where the country will also aim to strike a balance between fairness and using the rules to its advantage when it comes to the liberty the Philippines will have in deciding which sports will be included in the lineup. The venues for the upcoming 2019 Sea Games will likely include New Clark City, Bulacan, and Zambales.
Written By Patricia Antoinette M. Nacianceno
Image Source: PhilStar, ListPH; Video Source: YouTube
Source: Rappler, Abs-Cbn News
