Hosting a successful and unforgettable Games in the modern age is not just about having world class facilities and the field of play, but it is also the experience and journey that we give the spectators when they are not even physically in any of the venues.

I am talking about having a suite of digital assets, powerful enough for anyone in this world to carry in their pocket all there is to know about the 29th SEA Games and the 9th ASEAN Para Games. While our Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur can seat 80,000 spectators, there is a huge demand for people who can’t be with us to follow the Games as it rolls out.

Today I am happy to launch the Kuala Lumpur 2017 Official Channel available on YouTube and our official app “KL2017” which is now available for iOS and Android. It gives me such pleasure to unveil these two important platforms which will bring the Games closer to the fans, giving them access to the most up-to-date information on results, medal tally, schedule, venue and athletes. It was a result of many months of research, coding and testing to get this app off the ground.

The KL2017 Official Channel will also unlock exclusive footage of our athletes, their families, supporters, officials, volunteers and the ‘Games makers’ - all those involved in making the Games great. I am most delighted to tell you that this platform will host 15 channels, with two of them live channels for selected SEA Games events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, and 13 other channels for video on demand on YouTube. All this will also sit in that same single app.

With less than 40 days to go before the opening of the SEA Games, it is also timely that we premiere the KL2017 Brand Film today. There is this great saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. Borrowing that, I truly believe that It Takes a Nation to Raise a Champion. Emerging as the overall champion is not just the hard work of the athletes and their coaches, but all of us play a part in bringing them up and giving them that boost to win.

I cannot wait to show you all what we at the Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC) of Kuala Lumpur 2017 have in store for you at the Games. Buy the tickets, get the merchandise from our website www.kualalumpur2017.com.my, download the app and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Now is the time to really get engaged and play your part in Rising Together with us!

KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN

13 July 2017

(kualalumpur2017.com)