BANGKOK, 12 December 2013 The 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) has officially kicked off in Myanmar after a grand opening ceremony held in Naypyidaw yesterday.
Myanmar yesterday held a grand opening ceremony of the 27th SEA Games in its new capital with impressive visual effects and joyous emotions.
The ceremony saw more than 6,000 athletes and officials stride into the 30,000-seat Wunna Theikdi Stadium, marching in front of Myanmar President Thein Sein. The 4-hour event featured parades, fireworks, songs, dances and light-and-sound shows.
The 27th SEA Games is the largest sporting event Myanmar has played host to in 44 years or since 1969.
SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from 11 countries in Southeast Asia.
The first SEA Games, originally known as the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games, was first held in Bangkok in 1959 during which more than 527 athletes participated.
