The Malaysia`s SEA Games will play 38 sports, respectively the men`s 208 competition events, 177 women`s and doubles.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Prior to the South East Asian Games (SEA Games) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which will be held from August 19 to 30, the Indonesian government has prepared a team of 755 athletes to compete in the biennial sports event.

The Indonesian contingent to the SEA Games consists of 534 athletes, 166 coaches, and managers, as well as 55 supporting personnel.

In this multi sports event, the Indonesias contingent will face teams from other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and the host Malaysia, and Timor Leste which has yet become ASEAN member.

The countrys contingent to the upcoming SEA Games needs around Rp36.5 billion, which will be made to finance the cost of the 755 athletes in the event, according to Gatot S. Dewa Broto, Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports Affairs here on Monday (July 31).

Recurring to the last achievement held in Singapore in 2015, Indonesias team only reached fifth rank by collecting 142 medals comprising seven gold, 61 silver and 74 bronze.

With regard to the achievement in the next event, three young athletes from Cimahi, West Java, namely Panji (19) and Naufal (16) and Yuda (20) expressed a hope that all the Indonesias athletes should compete in full spirit in a bid to raise the rank of achievement.

"Please be excited the Indonesias athletes who fight in the 2017 SEA Games, we the people of Indonesia always support you," said Naufal.

On the Malaysias side, more than 8,000 policemen will be on duty during the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games, Malaysias Bernama News Agency quoted Bukit Aman (Police Headquarters) Internal Security and Public Safety Department director Zulkifli Abdullah as saying.

Zulkifli said apart from ensuring safety and traffic flow, policemen would also interact with athletes, officials and tourists throughout the duration of the games.

"The officers on duty will be trained to provide the best service and assist in whatever situation, including providing directions. We will also ensure there will be no elements of terrorism that can pose a threat to the progress of the SEA Games," he told reporters at the Bukit Jalil Aquatic Centre, here Monday.

The SEA Games programme, especially football will start on Aug 14, while other programmes are scheduled from Aug 19-30, while the official opening ceremony is on Aug 19.

The SEA Games programme, especially soccer will start on Aug 14, while other programmes are scheduled from Aug 19-30, while the official opening ceremony is on Aug 19.

In the meantime, the under-22 Indonesian soccer team (Timnas U-22) has been set in tough group.

At this group, the Timnas U-22 will be along with Thailand, champion of SEA Games 2013 and 2015, and Vietnam the 2015 SEA Games bronze medalist, as well as Cambodia, The Philippines and Timor Leste.

Group B can be said to be the difficult group because Indonesia should achieve at least second in order to qualify for the next round, the semi-finals.

Manager of the Timnas U-22, Endri Erawan admitted recently that competition in Group B is quite heavy, particularly as it (group B) has more games than in Group A.

However, Endri believed there is an opportunity to win the game since the Timnas U-22 make good preparation.

"God willing we are ready (to play) against any opponent. The important thing is our preparation, how to make use of time and learn the play of any opponent we are facing," Endri noted.

Chairman of the Indonesian contingent in the SEA Games 2017, Aziz Syamsuddin believed that Timnas U-22 can pass through the qualifying round despite joining the tough group.

"The ball is round so anything can happen. Im sure Evan Dimas (one of players) and his friends can get through a tough game in the preliminary round to qualify for the semi-finals," Aziz said.

In order to qualify for the next round, the semifinal, Indonesian team must reach at least the second rank of the group.

The Malaysias SEA Games will play 38 sports, respectively the mens 208 competition events, 177 womens and doubles.

Of the 38 sports that re-raced after missing the SEA Games 2015 in Singapore are cricket (T20 and T50), track cycling, futsal, hockey, ice skating, karate (kumite and words), lawn bowl, Muaythai, and mens weightlifting.

Meanwhile, the sports that are eliminated consisting of canoeing, floor ball, rowing, softball and dragon boats.

During the multi events, a total of 1,332 medals will be distributed, 403 of them are gold medals. (*)

Reporter: Bustanuddin
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017