The opening night began with internationally renowned singer Lani Misalucha singing the Philippines’ national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”, then came a flashy dance demonstration depicting various indigenous cultures of the host country.
In the music background, the sports delegations of the 11 participating nations paraded into the stadium, with the Vietnamese contingent preceded by flag-bearer Vu Thanh An (fencer).
Vietnam has sent an 856-member delegation to the 30th SEA Games, including 568 athletes in 43 sports, targeting to bring home at least 65 gold medals and make the top three on the overall medal table.
This is the fourth time that the Philippines has hosted the regional competition, and first since 2005. About 8,750 athletes are expected to compete in the 15-day 2019 Games, which feature 529 sets of medals in 56 sports, the most sports in the SEA Games history,
After the parade of officials and athletes, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte declared the 30th SEA Games officially open.
To conclude the opening, boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao and amateur boxing world champion Nesthy Petecio were shown lighting the cauldron at the New Clark City Sports Hub, before colourful fireworks lit the surroundings at the complex.
Here following are some pictures of the 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony:
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Internationally renowned singer Lani Misalucha sings the Philippines’ national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”.
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Art performances by the Philippine artists.
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Fencer Vu Thanh An has been named as the flag bearer of the Vietnamese sports delegation for the fourth time.
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Vietnam has sent 568 athletes to the Philippines, targeting to win at least 65 gold medals and make the top three in the overall medal tally.
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President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte declares the 30th SEA Games officially open.
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A female Philippine athlete represents nearly 10,000 athletes competing at the 30th SEA Games to take oath.
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Boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao and amateur boxing world champion Nesthy Petecio light the SEA Games cauldron at the New Clark City Sports Hub.
The list of 56 sports at the 2019 SEA Games:
Category 1 – Compulsory sports: Athletics, Aquatics.
Category 2 – Olympic and Asian Games sports: Baseball, Boxing, Archery, Basketball, Fencing, Badminton, Canoe Kayak, Judo, Billiards, Football, Karatedo, Bowling, Handball (Beach), Muay, Thai, Chess, Ice hockey, Pencak Silat, Cycling, Indoor hockey, Taekwondo, Dancesports, Polo, Wrestling, Duathlon, Rugby Seven, Wushu, Golf, Sepak Takraw, Gymnastics, Traditional boat race, Ice Skating, Volleyball, Modern Pentathlon, Beach volleyball, Rowing, Sailing, Squash, Surfing, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Windsurfing.
Category 3 – Regional and new sports: E-Sports, Arnis, Chess, Floorball, Jiu-jitsu, Lawn bowls, Netball Kickboxing, Pentanque, Underwater hockey, Kurash, Obstacle sports, Sambo.
