SINGAPORE, Jan 8 — By all accounts, a number of South-east Asian countries have pitched in to help Laos get ready for the SEA Games, which they will host for the first time in Vientiane this December.

Singapore has contributed much of its expertise to the host nation, and along with the rest of the neighbours, given further proof how such a sports event can foster friendship, solidarity and understanding among countries.

But no matter what kind of spin is used by SEA Games Federation officials to justify the inclusion of capteh, finswimming and petanque at this year's event, I am sure each discipline will struggle to draw any great fan interest when proceedings get under way.

Already, Malaysia's sports minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has blasted the organisers for including finswimming and capteh, or shuttle**** kicking, and has thrown up the idea of fielding a second string contingent for the 2009 SEA Games.

One wonders how long before other countries start to contemplate a similar move, if organisers continue to allow in quirky events at the biennial Games.

More and more, it seems as if genuine sports events are readily sacrificed while the likes of chess (Vietnam 2003), arnis (Manila 2005), lawn bowls and dancesport have all been a part of the SEA Games over the years.

Laos, a landlocked nation, will not hold a sailing competition, there is no gymnastics, bowling or hockey because of a lack of facilities and technical expertise.

While Singapore's Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck told The Straits Times recently he had no problem with the inclusion of capteh and fin swimming, he did say such a move could lead to a perception that the SEA Games is more of a social event, rather than a serious sports competition.

Badminton players already think so. Over the years, fans have been deprived of what would surely have been some red-hot encounters among the best players from the region in the fight for SEA Games gold because the shuttlers simply don't rate the event highly enough.

Surely, the SEA Games Federation must realise that the multi-sports event needs the top champions in the region to show off their skills and excite the millions all over South-east Asia that rarely get to see such elite athletes up close.

Surely, 50 years after the first Games, it would have been ideal if the cream of South-east Asia's athletes starred in Laos.

Malaysia's squash queen Nicol David would have added glamour and credibility to the event, but the world No 1 will not be in Laos as her sport is not among the 25 that will feature at this year's SEA Games.

Singapore's newly-crowned women's World Cup bowling champion Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, along with world-class keglers from all over the region, will also be absent as the sport is not on the list.

A number of the Republic's Asian Games sailing champions will obviously also not feature. But gold will be up for grabs in petanque.

Laos, a former French protectorate, won 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals at the 2007 Games. They bagged two golds in petanque, two in judo and one in muay thai.



Considering petanque originated in France, one would expect Laos to shine in the event.

Although it won't matter in the world of sport. -- TODAY (Singapore)