ASEAN Unity Transcends Boundaries

Name: ASEAN Unity Transcends Boundaries
Uploaded: 2022-05-13T03:36:59Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: The tens of thousands of people who filled the stadium cheered with excitement and left with big smiles. The 31st SEA Games, which had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, had started.

The tens of thousands of people who filled the stadium cheered with excitement and left with big smiles. The 31st SEA Games, which had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, had started.

KELVIN HIANUSA, Bagus Angga Putra, ANGGER PUTRANTO

· 4 minutes read

The 2021 Southeast Asian Games, which had been plagued by doubt, has opened with host Vietnam inviting all ASEAN countries to join hands in overcoming uncertainty.

HANOI, KOMPAS – “United we stand, divided we fall.” This saying aptly describes the successful opening ceremony of the 2021 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. ASEAN’s biggest sporting event could be held, thanks to the host country’s commitment and the support of other countries. Their sense of unity has overcome doubt in this turbulent time.

A roaring fireworks show, accompanied by the lively theme song “Let’s Shine”, marked the end of the opening ceremony on Thursday (12/5/2022) at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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The tens of thousands of people who filled the stadium cheered with excitement and left with big smiles. The 31st SEA Games, which had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, had started.

Vietnam had some doubts about hosting the event after it was postponed last year, its concern also casting doubt over the participation of other countries. Similar concerns also led to last week’s postponement of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

“The ASEAN community has always carried the spirit of unity. It is what shapes the character of this community, enabling us to overcome challenges and difficulties. Following the social and economic impacts of Covid-19, amid times of uncertainty, we are able to hold the SEA Games. We are ready to ensure its success,” said Vietnamese Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Nguyen Van Hung.

The opening ceremony sought to showcase Vietnam’s warmth and culture, while highlighting the strength of Southeast Asia’s sense of solidarity. It is this strength that lifted the host country in holding this event, on the support from other ASEAN states.

The gesture symbolizes tenacity, persistence and the effort to transcend boundaries.

This message is also conveyed in the SEA Games logo. The athletes’ gesture of placing the hand over the heart when their national anthem is played is the inspiration behind the logo. The gesture symbolizes tenacity, persistence and the effort to transcend boundaries.

“Everything is challenging because there will be another SEA Games next year. Solidarity is important. Through sports, we will support any ASEAN country that holds an event, no matter the results,” said Ferry Kono, the chairman of the Indonesian contingent, who took part in the opening parade.

“Our athletes will finally have competitions. If there aren’t any [competitions], then it is unfortunate for them.”

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> Vietnam Still an Enigma to Indonesia

The Indonesian contingent was third to enter the stadium during the opening parade. The “Red and White” contingent was led by flag bearers hurdling athlete Emilia Nova and Ferry, all wearing attire that reflected the nation’s cultural diversity.

The 29 representatives of the Indonesian contingent wore headbands, each of which represented an Indonesian province, to demonstrate this cultural diversity. They also wore white polo shirts with a red cardigan, paired with beige pants.

“We decided on the sporty casual millennial concept to show that the Indonesian team is mostly made up of junior athletes. There was no need to wear elaborate costumes. We also wore shoes that showcased our pride for products made in Indonesia,” said Ferry.

Competitions in several sports had already started prior to the opening ceremony, such as soccer, pencak silat and rowing.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc formally opened the 2021 SEA Games, where 5,467 athletes from 11 countries are competing in 40 sports. Competitions in several sports had already started prior to the opening ceremony, such as soccer, pencak silat and rowing.

The Indonesian team has so far won three gold medals, four silvers and one bronze, the majority of the medals in rowing and pencak silat.

Reaching the Olympics top five

The spirit of unity in Indonesian sports development was also conveyed by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, who chaired a meeting on the Grand Design for National Sports (DBON) in Jakarta on Wednesday. The government was committed to supporting Indonesian athletes so they could excel on the global stage.

Those attending the meeting included Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly, Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Makariem, and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.

Indonesia, the Vice President said, was aiming to reach the top five at the 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Games. DBON, as regulated in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 86/2021, served as a guide to achieving that goal.

DBON redesigns Indonesia’s sports ecosystem and the national athlete development program, and uses sports science and technology to help support the development of national athletes from A to Z.

However, the Vice President stressed that implementing DBON was a shared responsibility. Unity and cooperation were thus needed between the central government, regional administrations, sports organizations, the private sector and the public in supporting the budget, curriculum, infrastructure and other aspects of the program. (INA)

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.

Editor:

NASRULLAH NARA

vietnam asean sea games hanoi the 2021 southeast asian games