The Southeast Asian Games owes its origins to the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games or SEAP Games. On 22 May 1958, delegates from the countries in Southeast Asian peninsula attending the 3rd Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan had a meeting and agreed to establish a sport organization. The SEAP Games was conceptualized by Laung Sukhumnaipradit, then Vice-President of the Thailand Olympic Committee. The proposed rationale was that a regional sports event will help promote cooperation, understanding and relations among countries in the Southeast Asian region.
Thailand, Burma (now Myanmar), Malaya (now Malaysia), Laos, South Vietnam and Cambodia (with Singapore included thereafter) were the founding members. These countries agreed to hold the Games biannually. The SEAP Games Federation Committee was formed.
The first SEAP Games were held in Bangkok from 12–17 December 1959 comprising more than 527 athletes and officials from Thailand, Burma, Malaya (now Malaysia), Singapore, South Vietnam and Laos participating in 12 sports.
At the 8th SEAP Games in 1975, the SEAP Federation considered the inclusion of Indonesia and the Philippines.The two countries were formally admitted in 1977, the same year when SEAP Federation changed their name to Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), and the games were known as the Southeast Asian Games. Brunei was admitted at the 10th SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and East Timor at the 22nd SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In December 2005, the Philippines hosted the Games for the third time, after 1981 and 1991 editions. With its 113 gold medals, it copped the over-all championship for the first time since it joined in 1977.
The last games held was the incident free 2009 Southeast Asian Games (running from 9–18 December) which was the first time Laos has ever held a Southeast Asian Games (Laos had previously declined hosting the 1965 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games citing financial difficulties). It has also commemorated the 50 years of the SEA Games, held in Vientiane, Laos. The next host for the2011 Southeast Asian Games is Indonesia.The games commenced and progressed largely smoothly, however, praises and commendations were expressed by many athletes, sports officials and the press- Laos now joins the list of countries that have successfully hosted the South East Asian Games.
Article Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asian_Games
A historic event to what is now SEA Games. I really look up to this event every two years. The most spectacular event in the south east asia region. I'm proud that the Philippines is now part of the countries who have copped the over-all championship. Mabuhay Philippines.
via reuters
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