More than 6,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries took part in the games. Indonesia emerged as the overall champion as it had won the largest number of medals at all the three levels: 182 golds, 151 silvers and 143 bronzes.
However, the Indonesian soccer team failed to a grab gold medal after being defeated by the Malaysian team 4-5 (1-1) in the competition`s finals extra time on Monday night (Nov 21).
In the 1997 Sea Games Indonesia also topped the medal tally. At the time, however, the country`s team also failed to win the soccer final competition and Thailand grabbed the gold medal after beating Indonesia 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
In the 26th SEA Games medal tally, Thailand was ranked second with 109 golds, 100 silvers and 120 bronzes.
In third place was Vietnam with 96 golds, 92 silvers and 100 bronzes.
Malaysia was ranked fourth with 59 golds, 50 silvers and 81 bronzes. However, the neighboring country`s soccer team
grabbed the gold medal by defeating host Indonesia 5-4 (1-1) in the final round that took place at Jakarta`s Bung Karno main sports stadium on Monday night (Nov 21).
Singapore was in fifth place with 42 golds, 45 silvers and 73 bronzes. The Philippines was number six with 36 golds, 56 silvers and 77 bronzes.
Myanmar was seventh with 16 golds, 27 silvers and 37 bronzes. Laos was the eighth with 9 golds, 12 silvers and 36 bronzes.
Cambodia was ninth with 4 golds, 11 silvers and 24 bronzes. medals. Timor Leste tenth with 1 gold, 1 silver and 6 bronzes and Brunei Darussalam eleventh with 4 silvers and 7 bronzes.
Vice President Boediono when closing the 26th SEA Games at Jakabaring sports complex in Palembang on Tuesday night, among other things said that the true winner of the games was the peoples of Southeast Asia.
Boediono said the 12 day-long event (from Nov.11 through 22, 2011) had shown to the world that true friendship had been built among the participating countries.
"The flame that has been alight for 12 days will be extinguished but the fire in our hearts will never go out and that will remind us of our friendship as Southeast Asian community," he said.
Boediono at the closing ceremony themed "Victory in Harmony" was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Herawati, South Sumatra governor Alex Noerdin, sports minister Andi Mallarangeng and the general chairperson of the Indonesia National Sports Committee (KONI), Rita Subowo.
The vice president said all athletes, coaches and members of the contingents had all given their best in the matches that had gone fairly and honestly.
"I would like to express my appreciation to KONI, the Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI), Inasoc (Indonesian SEA Games organizing committee) and all volunteers that have worked maximally to assure that all matches went smoothly. Thank you also to all sponsors and donors that have voluntarily worked hard," Boediono said.
On the occasion he also expressed special appreciation to the Indonesian contingent that had emerged as the overall champion of the games for the first time since 1997.
"To the Indonesian contingent congratulations for being able to become the overall champion. The Indonesian people are proud of your achievement. Thank you also to the people of South Sumatra and Jakarta that have given their best as hosts," he said drawing an applause from thousands of people attending the ceremony.
In addition, the vice president on the occasion also specially expressed condolences to the families of two football spectators who died after being trampled while trying to enter the stadium in Jakarta to see the final soccer round between Indonesia and Malaysia.
"On behalf of the government and myself I expressed my deepest condolences," Boediono, he said.
Boediono when inspecting the SEA Games venues in Jakabaring complex on November 5 said the event is a prestigious competition among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyhono officially opened the 26th SEA Games in Jakabaring sports complex on Friday night (Nov 11).
Prior to the 2011 SEA Games, Indonesia had experience as host of several the SEA Games, namely the 10th in 1979, the 15th in 1987 and the 19th in 1997.
Thousands of SEA Games athletes were scheduled to meet again in Myanmar in 2013.
It would, of course, be even more prestigious if Indonesia could also emerge as the overall champion of the 27th SEA Games. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
