16/05/2017
Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian Olympic Assembly (MOM) has advanced the 2017 SEA Games schedule to avoid colliding with another major event held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The SEA Games will initially take place on September 16-30, 2017, but it is advanced almost a month to become 19-31 August 2017.
Under this new schedule, the closing of the SEA Games will coincide with Malaysia's 60th Independence Day celebration.
"We want September 16-30, but those days will be used for the Asian Indoors and Martial Arts Games championships in Turkmenistan," said MOM President Tunku Imran Tunku Ja'afar, as reported by The Malay Mail on Wednesday (14/10 / 2015).
"In addition, Minister of Sports Khairy Jamaluddin asked for the closing ceremony to coincide with Independence Day and this new schedule is perfect," he added.
Until now, the sport that will be competed in the SEA Games 2017 only amounted to 39. As host, Malaysia targeted the overall title. "Our target is to get the most medals. So we chose a sport where we had potential to win, "said Tunku Imran.
On the previous occasion, Tunku Imran said Malaysia is optimistic to exceed the achievement of 111 gold medals earned at the SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2001. At that time, in addition to reaching 111 gold medals, Malaysia is also able to reach 75 silver medals and 85 bronze medals.
