The Games cauldron, which was lit by Malaysian diving sensation Nur Dhabitah Sabri on Aug 19, was completely extinguished at exactly 10.17pm (Malaysian time) on Wednesday (30 Aug) night, marking the end of an exciting 12 days of action which saw Malaysia achieving its target of becoming the overall champion.
Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had earlier declared the Games closed at precisely 10.13pm. Over the last two weeks, 7,090 athletes (4,709) and officials (2381) had gathered in Kuala Lumpur, competing in 38 sports and 404 events. Host Malaysia formed the biggest contingent of 844 athletes and 390 officials at the Games.
Earlier in the day, Malaysia raked in another six out of the seven gold medals contested in diving (2), ice skating (3) and weightlifting (1) to complete its gold medal haul to 145.
Thailand took home 72 gold for the second spot, followed by Vietnam with 58, Singapore 57, Indonesia 38, the Philippines 24, Myanmar seven, Cambodia three and Laos two. Brunei ended their campaign with five silver and eight bronze and Timor Leste managed three bronze medals. The 30th edition of the Games will be hosted by the Philippines in 2019.
It was a indeed a proud moment for Malaysia and Games organisers, Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC), which, apart from its massive achievement on the field amassing 323 medals, also earned recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its great efforts in organising the Games.
IOC Executive Board member Ng Ser Miang of Singapore, presented MASOC Chairman YB Brig Gen Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also the Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister, with a special trophy. Earlier, in his speech, SEA Games Federation president YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, praised the athletes for their achievement in the Games. Tunku Imran also praised MASOC for its great efforts in organising the Games in the true spirit of ASEAN solidarity and brotherhood.
The ceremony paid tribute to the 13,000 WAU Factor volunteers who were involved in the Games, as well as spectators and fans who have flocked the venues and contributed to the fun and excitement of the Games.
The customary handing over of the SEAGF flag to 2017 Games hosts, Philippines, was a simple but meaningful rite with Tunku Imran presenting the flag to Philippines Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco who then handed it to the Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who will assume the lead in organising the country’s first hosting of the Games since 2005.
Soon after the official ceremony ended, the party and fun begin as spectators and fans continue to celebrate the night with vibrant performances by Malaysia’s notable artistes. The ceremony also coincides with the country’s 60th Independence celebration tomorrow (31 Aug).
The 29th SEA Games has closed for the Vietnam Sport Delegation with a bronze medal of Hoang Tan Tai who competes in the 85kg category weightlifting.
In overall, Vietanmese athletes bagged 58 gold medals, 50 silver medals and 60 bronze medals to finish third in the medal tally with one gold medal more than the Singapore Sport Delegation. The major contributors to this success are the hereos in athletics (with 17 gold medals) and swimming (with 10 gold medals).
Earlier, Singapore expected to outperform Vietnam on August 30 since they still have the upper hand in ice skating.
Before arriving to Malaysia, the Vietnam Sport Delegation has set the objective of winning from 49 to 59 gold medals.