SE Asian Games strengthen peace and unity in region<\/p>\n
By Dwiatmanta<\/p>\n
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): A summit meeting seems insufficient
\nto keep peace and unity alive in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
Not only the heads of the Southeast Asian governments need to
\ngather to talk on how to maintaining peace and unity, but people
\nin the region literally have to break into a sweat to fulfill
\nthis everlasting agenda.<\/p>\n
Here in Chiang Mai, 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, the
\nflexing muscles, pumping adrenalin and jubilation of some 2,000
\nsportsmen and women will draw the attention of more than 300
\nmillion people of the region for the whole next week.<\/p>\n
It was the spirit of peaceful co-existence that inspired
\nSupaksorn Supawat Jongsiri to compose a modern dance performance
\nwhich is to adorn the opening ceremony of the 18th Southeast
\nAsian Games today.<\/p>\n
\"I believe that peace and unity can be achieved through sports
\nactivities,\" Supaksorn, a renowned movie director, said of his
\nperformance titled \"War and Peace\" to be presented at the
\nceremony. Supaksorn is the director of both the opening and
\nclosing ceremonies.<\/p>\n
Dancers<\/p>\n
Some 320 dancers will dress in black and white, representing
\ngood and evil respectively in Supaksorn's composition. The
\ncomplex choreography, which was originally devoted to 10 heroines
\nof Chiang Mai, will be highlighted in interminable fight between
\nthe black and white.<\/p>\n
Supaksorn, 41, will suffuse the 12-minute performance with
\nsophisticated light and sound effects, a job he is familiar with
\nfrom making films.<\/p>\n
\"Good and evil fight against each other forever, and it is we
\nwho decide the winner,\" he said. He implied that even sportsmen
\nand women should battle it out against evil before considering
\nthemselves the defenders of the peace and unity.<\/p>\n
Despite the guarantee from the SEA Games Organizing Committee
\nto run the competition run in a fair manner, complaints and
\nprotests about Games ruling marred the run-up of the biennial
\nevent.<\/p>\n
Thai movie star \"Bird\" Tongchai McIntyre will join the quest
\nfor peace and unity in his performance named \"Welcome to the
\nGolden Stars.\"<\/p>\n
Bird, named best actor at the Thai Grammy Awards for his film
\n\"Sunset at Chao Praya,\" will represent all Thais in the final
\nperformance along with 1,300 Chiang Mai students in a song. One
\nof the verses reads: \"We come together to see everyone winning,
\npeacefully united as one.\"<\/p>\n
A total of 6,133 dancers will crowd around the soccer field at
\nthe newly built 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai during
\nthe opening ceremony. Supaksorn said that about 50 million baht
\n(US$2 million) have been spent on both the opening and closing
\nceremonies.<\/p>\n
The opening ceremony will start with several compositions
\nperformed by the Chiang Mai Wind Orchestra.<\/p>\n
Right after a big parade by the 10 contingents of the Games,
\nThailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will declare the
\nsporting event open.<\/p>\n
Thailand has chosen footballer Kiattisak Senamuang and female
\ntennis singles player Tammarin Thanasukan, representing the
\ncountry's young stars, to light the flame. Badminton past
\nchampion Charoen Wattanasin will become the first torch bearer
\nduring the flame lighting procession.<\/p>\n
The handing over of the torch from the old star to his young
\nsuccessors reflects Thailand's continuing quest for excellence in
\nsports. The host team is now seeking its second win over
\nIndonesia since 1977.<\/p>\n
The medal race will swing into action properly on Sunday, with
\n27 gold medals at stake in track and field, billiard, diving,
\nfencing, equestrian events, cycling and yachting race.<\/p>",
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