The 32nd SEA Games is going to be two weeks of nonstop sporting action. Here’s what you need to know to keep up with all the excitement.
The 32nd Southeast Asian Games is coming up real soon and you know what that means — you’re about to see headline after headline about the Team Philippines’ results.
This year is expected to be a big year for the Philippines, as the country is sending their second-biggest athlete delegation ever, and every athlete will be vying for the top prizes of their respective events.
To keep up with all the action and root for your favorite teams and athletes, here’s everything you need to know about the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Where is it being held?
All the action of the 32nd SEA Games will take place in Cambodia from May 5 to 17.
One thing you may not have known about this year’s edition is that the Philippines was originally slated to host for 2023. However, after Brunei withdrew from hosting the 2019 edition, the Philippines agreed to take over and ended up hosting the Games four years earlier than intended.
With this, Cambodia is now hosting the 2023 edition — their first time in history to hold the event.
Who is representing the Philippines?
The Philippines is sending a delegation of 860 athletes to compete in Cambodia at the 32nd SEA Games. Along with them, 76 reserve athletes and 347 sports officials are also flying out for the Games.
With this number, the country’s second-highest delegation of athletes, Team Philippines will be competing in 608 events in all sports of the event.
Among the talents that will be representing the Philippine flag, some of the notable athletes include Gilas Pilipinas, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, the Filipinas, and Alyssa Valdez captaining the women’s volleyball squad.
How did the Philippines perform in the previous Games?
In the previous edition of the SEA Games, the Philippines sent a smaller delegation of 656 members.
With their efforts, the Filipino representatives amassed a total of 52 gold, 70 silver, and 104 bronze medals, allowing them to finish in fourth place overall, just missing a podium finish. This marked the country’s best finish in an edition not hosted on their home turf.
However, with more members on Team Philippines this year, the country will be eyeing a higher finish with even more medals.
What are some major events to watch out for?
While all events will be instrumental in contributing to the country’s overall performance in the upcoming Games, there are some events that are worth noting.
Filipino fans will all have their eyes on Gilas Pilipinas as the team will certainly be seeking redemption after losing the gold-medal game in the last SEA Games — a loss that broke the country’s gold-streak for basketball that lasted from 1991 to 2019.
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team, also known as the Filipinas, are also a team to pay attention to. In the edition held last year, the Filipinas won the bronze medal of the tournament, marking their best result in the SEA Games in 37 years. Will they be able to reach another historic moment this year?
In addition to these storylines, both Gilas and the Filipinas will be using the SEA Games as preparations for the FIBA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, respectively, taking place later this year.
How can I stay tuned into the events?
Stay tuned to the official 32nd Southeast Asian Games’ Facebook and YouTube pages, as they may be posting news updates, live streams, and videos of all the events beginning next week when the Games officially kick off on May 5.
Banner image from AFP.
Related Stories:
The Philippines at the FIBA World Cup: Recalling Every Qualification
5 Facts You Didn’t Know About the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy
Where Does Pacquaio Rank Among the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes?