Confirmation of SEA Games hosts until 2029 should see inclusion of Rugby 7s
rugbyasia247
Posted On May 22, 2022
The recent confirmation of the SEA Games host nations until 2029 should see a welcome return of rugby 7s after the sport was committed from the Games in Vietnam (2022) and Cambodia (2023).
Thailand (2025), Malaysia (2027) and Singapore (2029) were confirmed as hosts and all have strong rugby programs and Unions that will likely fight to see the sport return to the biannual event.
Feature Image- Photo Credit: World Rugby Thai women won gold at the SEA Games in 2019
SEA Games Hosts 2023-2029
The decision to award the hosts until 2029 was announced by the SEA Games Federation Council – which includes representatives from all 11 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in the region.
The SEA Games are notorious for the host nation selecting a roster of sports that they should compete well. This was also a contributing factor for Vietnam and Cambodia not including rugby in the Games they are hosting. However, all rugby-playing SEA nations will be keen to see the sport return after the absence from two SEA Games.
The funding from respective Olympic Committees also is cut when the sport is not played at the Games, so there are financial and developmental reasons for the rugby unions to lobby for rugby sevens. All three hosts from 2025-2029 also are potential medal contenders for the women and men in rugby sevens.
- 2023 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia (no rugby sevens)
- 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand
- 2027 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- 2029 – Singapore
SEA Games 2025 – Thailand – Bangkok
Thailand previously staged the SEA Games in 1959, 1967, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2007 with Bangkok set to host the SEA Games in 2025 which will be the 33rd edition of the Games.
The Thai women’s 7s rugby team are the current holders of the SEA Games gold which they won in the Philippines in 2019. The Thailand men won bronze at the same event.
Thailand has hosted a number of Asia Rugby events in recent years.
The Malaysian men and women have picked up medals at the SEA Games in 2017 and 2019
SEA Games 2027 – Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia previously held the multi-sport event in 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2017.
In their most recently hosted event, the Malaysia Sevens rugby teams won gold and bronze for the men and women respectively. It was the men’s first gold in rugby sevens in the SEA Games and they beat Singapore 22-7 in the final at the Kelana Jaya Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
At the most recent SEA Games in 2019 which included rugby 7s – the Malaysia men won silver and the women won bronze in the Philipines.
The 34th SEA Games will again be held in Kuala Lumpur in 2027.
According to some media reports, the 2027 edition was planned to be hosted by Brunei but they withdraw their interest.
Singapore will host the SEA Games and hopefully rugby 7s in 2029
SEA Games 2029 – Singapore
Singapore is set to hold the Games for the fifth time in 2029 and has previously hosted the event in 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2015.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, President of the Singapore National Olympic Council said: “We are pleased to host the prestigious regional sporting event in Singapore again. The SEA Games holds special memories and experiences for Singapore and our Southeast Asian neighbours. The camaraderie and rivalry we share are distinct and Singapore is once again happy to organise the 35th SEA Games to relive these moments.”
Singapore had a disappointing 2019 SEA Games by not picking up medals in rugby 7s.
Which nations take part in the SEA Games?
- Brunei Darussalam
- Philippines
- Cambodia
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- Laos
- Timor-Leste
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- Myanmar (Burma)
Rugby Sevens SEA Games results – 2017-2019
Rugby 7s has featured at the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia (2017) and in the Philippines(2019),with the host nations doing well on both occasions.
SEA Games Women’s Rugby Sevens 2019
- Silver: Philippines
- Bronze: Malaysia
SEA Games Men’s Rugby Sevens 2019
- Gold: Philippines
- Silver: Malaysia
- Bronze: Thailand
SEA Games Women’s 7s SEA Games 2017
- Gold: Thailand
- Silver: Singapore
- Bronze: Malaysia
SEA Games Men’s 7s SEA Games 2017
- Gold: Malaysia
- Silver: Singapore
- Bronze: Thailand
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