Spectacular closing ceremony as SEA Games flag goes to PH

The 29th Southeast Asian Games ended Wednesday night with a spectacular cultural-inspired closing ceremony and the official handover of the SEA Games federation flag to the 2019 host, the Philippines. (Photo by KL 2017 29th SEA Games/Facebook)

KUALA LUMPUR — The 29th Southeast Asian Games ended Wednesday night with a spectacular cultural-inspired closing ceremony and the official handover of the SEA Games federation flag to the 2019 host, the Philippines.

Among the highlights were Malaysia’s impressive showcase of a vibrant cultural presentation, the Terima Kasih Daun Kelaci.

In celebrating the games, an upbeat, celebratory show featured communal singing and dancing, a way of giving thanks to the athletes, officials, and volunteers.

Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, declared the games closed and invited the people of the region to gather in the Philippines in 2019 for the 30th edition of the regional biennial meet.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, also Chairman of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, received the Southeast Asian Games Federation Flag during the turnover ceremony for the next edition of the games.

The Philippine anthem was played right after the turnover ceremony, followed by thunderous applause and cheers from thousands of spectators and guests who

gathered at the ultra-modern National Stadium at Bukit Jalil.

The ceremony, watched by millions around the region, featured the parade of athletes — the heroes of the regional meet, and a dramatic extinguishing of the SEA Games flame.

Yam Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Southeast Asian Games Federation, expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Najib Razak for supporting the games. He also congratulated the victors, all athletes and officials.

He also gave special thanks to the KL 2017 Malaysian Southeast Asian Organizing Committee (MASOC) for a “job well done.”

Thousands of volunteers — the unsung heroes of the sports conclave — also joined the parade.

The role of the games is to bring all citizens of Southeast Asia together in celebration of achievements and continuous commitment towards sportsmanship, as it aims also to uplift and inspire the entire region.

Host Malaysia captured the overall championship with 145-92-86  (gold-silver-bronze); Thailand ranked 2^nd with 72-86-88; Vietnam came 3^rd with 58-50-60; Singapore 4^th place with 57-58-73; Indonesia 5^th place with 38-63-90; Philippines in 6^th place with 24-33-64; Myanmar 7-10-20; Cambodia 3-2-12; Lao PDR 2-3-21; Brunei 0-5-9; and Timor Leste 0-0-3.