Retracing history: Birth of SEA Games

Retracing history: Birth of SEA Games

The SEA Games originated from the SEAP (South East Asian
Peninsular) Games. When it was held for the first time in Bangkok
in 1959, only six countries participated: Laos, Malaysia, Burma
(Myanmar), Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Thailand was the major force, finishing atop the medal table
six times in the first eight SEAP Games.

With a mission to promote cooperation, understanding and
relations among countries in the region, the movement extended to
outside the peninsula, prompting Brunei, Indonesia and The
Philippines to join.

The event changed to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which
made its debut in Bangkok in 1975. Indonesia stole the show as
the top gold medal winner the first time it participated in 1977
and continued to hold the top spot until Thailand wrested the
crown away in 1985 on its own soil.

After enjoying another period of glory, Indonesia relinquished
the trophy in 1995. The 1997 edition was the last time Indonesia
won the most medals as Thailand and Malaysia shared the honors in
1999 and 2001 respectively. On both occasions, Indonesia finished
in an unprecedented third on the medal standings.

The 2003, the SEA Games welcomes the new nation of East Timor,
which was formerly controlled by Indonesia, bringing the number
of participating countries to 11. The other ten are Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

It is the first time Vietnam has been chosen to host the
event, which is being staged in Hanoi (21 sports) and Ho Chi Minh
City (11 sports). -- JP

Previous hosts cities of the Games

1959 Bangkok, Thailand

1961 Rangoon, Burma

1965 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1967 Bangkok, Thailand

1969 Rangoon, Burma

1971 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1973 Singapore

1975 Bangkok, Thailand

1977 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1979 Jakarta, Indonesia

1981 Manila, Philippines

1983 Singapore

1985 Bangkok, Thailand

1987 Jakarta, Indonesia

1989 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1991 Manila, Philippines

1993 Singapore

1995 Chiang Mai, Thailand

1997 Jakarta, Indonesia

1999 Brunei

2001 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2003 Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam