The 30th SEA Games: What you need to know

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) — The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games takes place every two years, and the 30th edition is set to happen in the Philippines after 14 years, since its last hosting in 2005.

According to SEA Games rules, the host nation can introduce new sports, and this year’s meet has set the record for including the most number of sports and events in SEA Games history.

Here is a rundown of the other things you need to know about the most-awaited 2019 SEA Games.

Philippines’ fourth SEA Games hosting

This year is the country’s fourth time to host the SEA Games.

The Rizal Memorial Stadium was built for the 1981 edition of the regional meet. The country, again, hosted after a decade in 1991, and then in 2005.

The Philippines won its first overall championship in 2005, garnering 290 medals, with 112 Gold, 85 Silver, and 93 Bronze.

Meanwhile, the Philippines ranks 4th in the overall SEA Games medal tally.

What is this year’s theme?

“We win as one” is the official slogan and theme song of the 2019 SEA Games.

The song was written by Filipino heavyweights in the Arts. The lyrics was penned by Palanca-award winning writer and director Floy Quintos, its music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, and it was sang by Tony awardee Lea Salonga.

In line with the theme, the 30th SEA Games will not be complete without its mascot, “Pami.” Pami was derived from the Tagalog word pamilya, which represents every nation, sport, and person, coming together.

Sampaguita-inspired SEA Games torch and medals

Renowned metal sculptor Daniel dela Cruz designed the 2019 SEA Games official torch and medals. The Sampaguita-inspired torch is a representation of the country’s culture of excellence and unity among other ASEAN-member countries.

The Sampaguita, according to dela Cruz, is a representation of the simplicity, strength, and resilience of the Filipino people.

How many sports are included this year?

The 30th edition of the SEA Games is the biggest yet in history in terms of number of sporting events. There will be a total of 56 sports and 530 events this year.

The sports are also divided into three categories: Compulsory, Olympic and Asian Games sports, and Regional and New Sports.

Most number of medals come from athletics and swimming under the Compulsory category.

What are the newly-introduced sports?

One of the most-awaited sports that will debut in the SEA Games this year is E-sports. This is the first time it will be a medal sport.

The other sports that will be introduced are surfing, obstacle course, kickboxing, kurash, modern pentathlon, sambo, jiu-jitsu, underwater hockey, skateboarding and 3×3 basketball.

Where will the events be held?

The opening ceremony of the 2019 SEA Games will be held in the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, which has a 55,000-seating capacity, while the closing ceremony will be in New Clark City.

The 2019 SEA Games has three major sporting hubs namely, Clark, Subic, and Metro Manila. Some of the other sports will be held in other areas outside the three.

The main sporting venue will be the world-class New Clark City Sports Complex, which houses a 20,000-seater athletics stadium, a 2,000-seater aquatics center, and an athletes’ village.

New Clark City will house the athletics and aquatic competitions, while some of the major sports like basketball, volleyball, and football, will be in Metro Manila.