What You Need to Know About the SEA Games 2019
Hosted by the Philippines, the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is well underway! This is the 4th time that the country will be hosting the biennial event since it first participated in 1977.
Countdown to SEA Games 2019 / IMAGE SEA Games 2019 website
An opening ceremony on November 30, 2019 at the Philippine Arena in Bocauae, Bulacan will mark the start of the SEA Games 2019, which will run until December 11. The ceremony will feature a line-up of world-renowned Filipino artists including rapper Apl d Ap, Lani Misalucha, Christian Bautista, and KZ Tandingan among others.
https://www.facebook.com/2019seagamesph/videos/509983256259151/UzpfSTE2NTcwMzM0NTQ1MTY3MzA6MjU0Nzg2Nzk2MjA5OTkzNw/
You can buy tickets for the SEA Games 2019 Opening Ceremony from SM Tickets outlets nationwide and on smtickets.com. Rates start at Php 1,000 for general admission.
Countries
Participating countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
https://www.facebook.com/2019seagamesph/videos/2787076711342523/
According to the official website of the Philippines SEA Games, an estimate of 8,500 athletes and team officials are expected to take part in the competition.
Sports
There are 56 sports to be played in this year’s SEA Games amounting to 530 games. These are categorized into three: Compulsory Sports, Olympic and Asian Games Sports, and Regional and New Sports.
https://www.facebook.com/2019seagamesph/videos/2909366855740172/
Under the Compulsory Sports are the Athletics and Aquatics events, while Olympic and Asian Games Sports mostly feature team, combat, and individual sports that are also played in other sporting events in the world.
The Regional and New Sports, on the other hand, include sports that are popular in the SEA region that are not yet considered as Olympic sports like netball and kickboxing. Also included in the category are newly added events such as E-sports and wakeboarding.
You can watch all the action and cheer for your favorite teams live! Tickets are now available at SM Tickets.
Venues
The SEA Games 2019 events will take place in different areas of Luzon, more specifically the Central, Southern, and Metro Manila areas. For the complete schedule of games and corresponding venues, you may check it out here.
Clark and Subic Cluster
Within this cluster is the newly constructed New Clark City sports hub in Capas, Tarlac that houses the Athletics and Aquatic Stadium. Additionally, the closing ceremony for the SEA Games 2019 will be held at the Athletics Stadium.
The blue location markers are the Clark Cluster while the green location markers are the Subic Cluster
For spectators who want to watch SEA Games competitions in Clark, Pampanga, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) will be providing P2P buses from pick up points at SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, Trinoma, and Ayala Malls Cloverleaf with a drop-off point at SM Clark.
The bus fare may range from Php 180 to Php 400 depending on the pick-up and drop-off points. More details can be found here.
Metro Manila Cluster
Basketball and boxing competitions are just some of the games to be held in this cluster. Notable locations are the Philsports Multipurpose Arena (ULTRA) and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Metro Manila Cluster
Other Clusters
Skateboarding, cycling, and polo competitions will be held in venues mostly situated in the Southern Luzon area. Also included in the cluster is La Union where surfing events will take place.
Other clusters around the Southern Luzon area
Traffic Schemes
Since the venues for the games are scattered all over Luzon and Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement stop-and-go schemes as well as other traffic adjustments to guarantee the ease of travel for both SEA Games participants and motorists.
Road closures will be implemented on the following roads from 12:01 a.m. of November 30 to December 11:
- Along Adriatico – from Pres Quirino to P. Ocampo (both bound directions)
- Along P. Ocampo – from Taft Ave. to Adriatico (westbound direction only)
You can check MMDA’s website for alternate routes.
Additionally, traffic congestion and delays should be expected in and around sports and non-sports venues in the metro, as well as in Central and Southern Luzon.
Despite the bumps along the road, the SEA Games 2019 is shaping to be a successful event where Southeast Asian nations can unite in the name of good sportsmanship and camaraderie.
For news and updates, check out the official SEA Games 2019 website and social media pages.
Source: 2019seagames.com, mmda.gov.ph
Image grabbed from 2019seagames.com
Written by Teresa Gatmaitan
