September 14, 2007
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- More than 6,500 athletes are expected to compete in the 24th SEA Games in Korat, in north-eastern Thailand beginning Dec 6, chasing the 485 gold medals at stake in 45 sports.
According to the list of competitors and officials provided by the SEA Games Committee, host Thailand, which is aiming to regain the overall champion from previous host the Philippines, is slated to send 1,138 athletes, comprising 619 male and 519 female competitors.
The Philippines will have the second highest contingent of 902, followed by Malaysia 858, Indonesia 851, Singapore 706, Vietnam 700, Myanmar 510, Laos 463, Cambodia 278 and Brunei 135 while Timor Leste had notified the organisers that they will not come due to some domestic problems.
The Philippines won 113 gold in 2005, Thailand 87, Vietnam 71 and Malaysia 61.
The track and field events will have the biggest number of competing athletes with 535, followed by swimming 369 and football 350.
A total of 2,036 officials will be accompanying the athletes, with Thailand having the biggest delegation of 412, followed by Malaysia 281 and Indonesia 273.
While the majority of the sports will be held in Korat or also known as the Nakhon Ratchasima province located approximately 260 km northeast of Bangkok, a number of events will be organised in the capital and resort city of Chon Buri.
Among the sports to be held here are basketball, squash, bowling, hockey, shooting and lawn bowls while Chon Buri will host canoeing, equestrian, rowing, sailing and triathlon.
The shooting events on Nov 27, held earlier to allow shooters to compete in an Olympic qualifier later, will mark the start of the medal hunt and football will follow suit two days later.
Korat is building a US$77 million sports complex, which includes two indoor stadiums with the capacity of 5,000 and 2,000, a 20,000-capacity outdoor stadium and a 50m Olympic pool.
The Suranaree Technology University will serve as the athletes' village, offering 5,000 rooms for athletes and officials.
According to the list of competitors and officials provided by the SEA Games Committee, host Thailand, which is aiming to regain the overall champion from previous host the Philippines, is slated to send 1,138 athletes, comprising 619 male and 519 female competitors.
The Philippines will have the second highest contingent of 902, followed by Malaysia 858, Indonesia 851, Singapore 706, Vietnam 700, Myanmar 510, Laos 463, Cambodia 278 and Brunei 135 while Timor Leste had notified the organisers that they will not come due to some domestic problems.
The Philippines won 113 gold in 2005, Thailand 87, Vietnam 71 and Malaysia 61.
The track and field events will have the biggest number of competing athletes with 535, followed by swimming 369 and football 350.
A total of 2,036 officials will be accompanying the athletes, with Thailand having the biggest delegation of 412, followed by Malaysia 281 and Indonesia 273.
While the majority of the sports will be held in Korat or also known as the Nakhon Ratchasima province located approximately 260 km northeast of Bangkok, a number of events will be organised in the capital and resort city of Chon Buri.
Among the sports to be held here are basketball, squash, bowling, hockey, shooting and lawn bowls while Chon Buri will host canoeing, equestrian, rowing, sailing and triathlon.
The shooting events on Nov 27, held earlier to allow shooters to compete in an Olympic qualifier later, will mark the start of the medal hunt and football will follow suit two days later.
Korat is building a US$77 million sports complex, which includes two indoor stadiums with the capacity of 5,000 and 2,000, a 20,000-capacity outdoor stadium and a 50m Olympic pool.
The Suranaree Technology University will serve as the athletes' village, offering 5,000 rooms for athletes and officials.
1 comment:
"Korat" was Khmer land called "Nokor Rath or Nokor Rearch" - The Siamese simplify their calling to become "Korat".
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