Games opened in splendid style<\/p>\n
By Dwi Atmanta<\/p>\n
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): The cool atmosphere of this
\nnorthern Thailand city turned warm yesterday with the grandiose
\ncultural performance that launched the 18th Southeast Asian
\nGames.<\/p>\n
Watched by the 20,000 people who packed the 700th Anniversary
\nStadium, and millions others in the region via live TV, the flame
\nfrom the cauldron lit the spirits of athletes from 10 countries,
\nwho will be competing in various sports branches for the next
\neight days.<\/p>\n
Thai's young sports prodigies, Kiattisak Senamuang and
\nTammarin Tanasukarn, were the torch bearers, doing a lap of honor
\nbefore ascending the steps towards the cauldron.<\/p>\n
After a few moments of silence, they lit the tails of two
\ndragon statues. The dragons opened their mouths and transferred
\nthe fire to the cauldron.<\/p>\n
A thunderous reception from the crowd flared up in the chilly
\nnight.<\/p>\n
Chiang Mai, surrounded by Doi Suthep Mountain, enters its
\ncoolest month in December, with the climate dropping to under 12
\ndegree Celcius at night. A meteorological official, Decha
\nChulthura, said the climate is colder than usual because of cool
\nwinds from China.<\/p>\n
The cool climate may be just perfect for the athletes.<\/p>\n
Host Thailand and defending champion Indonesia will be vying
\nfor the overall championship title of the SEA Games. The eight
\nother participants are Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
\nthe Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
Competition is good, but as Thai athlete Ratapong Sirisanon
\npronounced at the opening ceremony on behalf of all 2,166
\nathletes present, sportsmanship is the only rule of the game.<\/p>\n
The procession of athletes was preceded by a musical
\nperformance featuring the 140-piece Chiang Mai Wind Orchestra and
\n200 singers. The country's 20 acclaimed singers chanted the SEA
\nGames song to add life to the colorful 30 million baht ($1.25
\nmillion) ceremony.<\/p>\n
A centuries-old, traditional northern Thailand welcome
\nfollowed the choir. The display featured a drum beating
\ndemonstration and a musical performance on bamboo instruments.
\nAn estimated 1,670 performers, including 300 students from the
\nnorthern Thai hill tribes, joined the show.<\/p>\n
A march involving more than 3,000 flag waving athletes and
\nofficials from the 10 participating teams grabbed the spotlight
\nafterward. Dressed up in colorful clothes, the smiling
\nparticipants marched around the gravel track in alphabetic order.<\/p>\n
The host team came out last but with most electrifying
\nwelcoming applause from the crowd. Many of the home fans gave a
\nstanding ovation to their favorites athletes.<\/p>\n
A magnificent silence broke the noise a few seconds when Crown
\nPrince Maha Vijalalongkorn, who represented King Bhumibol
\nAdulyadej, declared the games open.<\/p>\n
The Crown Prince then released three white racing pigeons into
\nthe open air. Then 1,995 other doves were released.<\/p>\n
The organizers said it took them almost a year to collect,
\nselect and nurture the doves, the symbol of peace.<\/p>\n
Choochai Lertpongasidorn, who was responsible for nurturing
\nthe special pigeons before they were released by the Prince, said
\nthe birds will return.<\/p>\n
\"They will not run away after the release. I have trained them
\nto fly back to the house they used to be fed at,\" Choochai said.
\nThe white doves were raised at Ammuay Yodsuks' house, a Thai
\nmember of Parliament from Chiang Mai.<\/p>\n
The Chiang Mai authorities have given schools in the city a
\ntwo-week holiday for the duration of the SEA Games. Many took
\nadvantage of this yesterday to turn up for the opening gala.<\/p>\n
Traffic leading to the stadium came almost to a standstill
\npreceding and during the ceremony yesterday.<\/p>\n
Those who made it were truly entertained.<\/p>\n
Glaring fireworks and a laser show closed the gala show.<\/p>\n
And after a nights rest, the athletes will begin doing battle
\nfor the honor of their country and their sports today.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/games-opened-in-splendid-style-1447893297",
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