SEA Games opens in modest style

By Primastuti Handayani and Ivy Susanti

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): The last Southeast Asian (SEA) Games of the second millennium began on Saturday evening in modest but splendid style at the packed Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei.

Some 30,000 spectators mingled with about 4,500 athletes, coaches and officials in the Games' opening ceremony, which concluded a few hours before the event's first gold medal went up for grabs.

"Brunei Darussalam is proud and honored to host the last SEA Games of this millennium," Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said in a brief speech which marked the beginning of the week-long competition, the first ever to be held in Brunei.

The speech was followed by a fireworks display, which preceded the raising of the SEA Games flag.

Local artists performed a song titled Selamat Datang (Welcome). Minutes afterwards, six Brunei navy officers raised the SEA Games flag while two artists sang the Games theme song, Here We Meet.

The theme song was composed by Prince Sufri Bolkiah, chairman of the Games organizing committee and president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Committee.

"After 40 years of historic achievements, the SEA Games torch finally arrived on Brunei's shores and we are indeed very privileged to be able to witness this official opening of the 20th edition of the Games.

"This friendly biennial sports competition will foster friendship and understanding among the ASEAN nations for our mutual good and benefit.

"I hope the 20th SEA Games will be the perfect catalyst to catapult us toward greater regional understanding, cooperation and unity, as well as help stimulate and facilitate more regional sociocultural, educational and economic activities as we approach the next millennium and beyond. Therefore, let us all pray for our respective roles and may the 20th SEA Games help ASEAN grow," the prince said in his speech.

ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

After the official opening, three Brunei athletes -- Awang Haji Zabidi bin Haji Ali, Dato Setia Awang Haji Mohd Samin bin Haji Abd Azis and Dayang Umi Kalthom -- carried the Games' torch around the stadium.

Kalthom, who studies in England, received the honor of lighting the cauldron. The 1993 Games gold medalist has been absent from the pencak silat arena for four years and pledged to make a sweet comeback before her home crowd.

The ceremony got off to a jumping start when 12 parachutists from the Royal Brunei Air Force jumped from a helicopter while carrying the flags of the Games 10 participating countries. The SEA Games mascot Awang Budiman took the plunge with them.

Marching bands from the Royal Brunei Police Force and Armed Forces performed on the blue-carpeted soccer field, accompanied by about 5,000 students from eight secondary schools carrying picture cards.

Supervisor Awang Haji Mahdini bin Mohiddin said the students prepared for about three weeks for the ceremony.

The students displayed pictures of flora and fauna and traditional instruments from Brunei, the 10 participating countries' flags and the Sultan.

Brunei's national anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan (God safeguards the Sultan), greeted the royal family when they entered the stadium 40 minutes after the parachutists.

The Royal Brunei Police Force preceded 100 SEA Games flag bearers and 100 people carrying the flags of the participating countries. They were followed by three men dressed in the traditional costume of yellow shirt, black trousers, red belt and red headband.

Behind them came the Indonesian contingent with 354 athletes, led by deputy chef de mission Imron Z.S. Boxer Albert Papilaya carried the Indonesian flag. He was followed by four athletes -- Titi Puryanti (golf), Ni Made Supadmi and Abas Akbar (pencak silat) and Umar Syarief (karate) -- who wore traditional outfits from North Sumatra and South Sulawesi.

"This is the second time I carried the national flag. I carried the flag at the 1995 SEA Games as well. It gave me a proud moment before I hang up my gloves after these Games. I'm too old for boxing," the 32-year-old Albert said.

The Cambodian contingent came next with 62 athletes. They were followed by Laos with 41 athletes; Malaysia with 328 athletes; Myanmar with 135 athletes; the Philippines with 258 athletes; Singapore with 268 athletes; Thailand with 361 athletes; Vietnam with 170 athletes; and host Brunei with 370 athletes.

Brunei's contingent was led by Crown Prince Al Muhtadee Billah, Prince Abdul Mateen, Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah and Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah. They received a standing ovation from enthusiastic spectators.

After the official ceremony, athletes and spectators enjoyed a presentation titled Excellence and Friendship. The performance was divided into seven segments: Grand Welcome, the Wanderers of the Tropical Rain Forest, Cultural Heritage, Light of Hope, Dawn of a New Era, Entering the New Millennium and the Grand Final.

A fireworks display concluded the gala opening. The Games will end on Aug. 15.