2017 KL SEA GAMES: Six Not-So-Mainstream Sports You Should Check Out In Person

We, the rakyat, have been encouraged to watch the games and support our athletes, but how many of us would actually leave the comfort of our homes to do so?

Well, we should. Think of it this way, how often will you get to see the top athletes of our region competing in a sport they have trained their whole lives for, to see their flag being hoisted up as their national anthem plays in the background?

And how often will you, a layman, be able to witness our Jalur Gemilang raised above two other countries’ flags and to sing along to the Negaraku with pride emanating from your chest?

Not very often? So why not give it a shot? Plus, it’s always good to open your mind to something new!

Here are some sports that aren’t as mainstream but are definitely worth watching:

1) Synchronised Swimming

Forget the remark made by the national swimmer of our southern neighbour. This sport is a delight to watch. Be prepared to witness beautiful formations and magnificent dance movements, flexibility and grace, all in sync and to the rhythm of an upbeat number and all performed in the water.

Dates: 17th August 2017 – 1.30pm, 7.00pm 18th August 2017 – 2.00pm 20th August 2017 – 1.30pm, 8.00pm Tickets: RM20 per person, with a maximum of four tickets per household

Venue: National Aquatic Centre, Bukit Jalil

Accessibility: Alight at Bukit Jalil LRT Station, along the Sri Petaling Line, and walk 10 minutes to the venue.

2) Ice Skating – Figure Skating

Being the newest sport in the SEA games, this sport requires a substantial amount of core strength coupled with grace and intense focus. Watching it is a different story all together. It is a dance performed on ice, with plenty of twirls and leaps as the skates glide on the ice. Dates: 26th August 2017 – 3.00pm onwards 27th August 2017 – 2.30pm onwards

Tickets: Free admission

Venue: Empire City Ice Arena, Damansara

Accessibility: Alight at MRT Mutiara Damansara, it’s a 10 minute car ride to Empire City

3) Billiards & Snooker

Many of us love showing off our skills at these games over a cold brew, why not watch our national athletes and learn a thing or two from them? All 11 nations will be participating in this event, with five gold medals up for grabs; English billiards singles, nine-ball singles, nine-ball doubles, snooker singles and snooker doubles.

Dates: 22nd – 27th August 2017 – 10.00am onwards

Tickets: RM10 per person, with a maximum of 4 tickets per household

Venue: KL Convention Centre

Accessibility: Alight at KLCC LRT Station, along the Kelana Jaya Line and take a 7 minute walk to the venue.

4) Rugby 7s

Unlike the usual format for the sport, rugby 7’s consist of seven players playing seven minute halves. This fast paced version of the sport is actually an Olympic sport! Singapore and Thailand seem to be the favourites to pick medals up this time, but we know that Malaysia’s homeground advantage will come into play for sure.

Dates: 19th – 20th August 2017 – 10.00am onwards

Tickets: RM10 per person, with a maximum of four tickets per household

Venue: Stadium MBPJ, SS7, Petaling Jaya

Accessibility: Alight at Glenmarie LRT Station, along the Kelana Jaya Line and take a seven minute walk to the venue.

5) Sepak Takraw

A sport that originated in South East Asia, sepak takraw holds a special place in most ASEAN residents’ hearts, having played or attempted to play it at some point or other. We warmly welcome the sight of young boys playing the game when we visit our neighbouring countries. Why not support our Malaysian team at the sport that is rumoured to have originated in Malaya?

Dates: 16th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards 17th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards 19th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards (SOLD OUT) 21st August 2017 – 9.00am onwards 22nd August 2017 – 9.00am onwards 24th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards and 4.00pm onwards 25th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards and 4.00pm onwards 27th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards and 4.00pm onwards 28th August 2017 – 9.00am onwards and 4.00pm onwards 29th August 2017 – 4.00pm onwards and 8.00pm onwards

Tickets: RM10 per person, with a maximum of four tickets per household

Venue: Stadium Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur

Accessibility: Alight at Chow Kit Monorail Station, and take a six minute car ride to the venue.

6) Water Ski & Wakeboard

Boasting a whopping 11 medals up for grabs, this sport is almost unknown to the majority of Malaysians. Both sports involve the athlete being pulled by a boat, with a towrope attached to their foot. Water skiing sees the athletes partake in three events, namely slalom, tricks and jumping. Slalom involves the athlete cleverly avoiding the buoys place on water. Tricks requires the athlete to perform well, tricks, such as twists and flips. Jumping, on the other hand, requires the athlete to jump the furthest distance as the speed of the boat is increased. Wakeboarding allows the athlete to perform any movements they choose to, giving them full creative control of the sport!

Dates: 25th – 29th August 2017 – 10.00am onwards

Tickets: Free admission

Venue: Putrajaya Water Sports Complex, Precinct 6, Putrajaya

Accessibility: Alight at Putrajaya Central ERL Station, and take a seven car ride to the venue.

With so many sports being played at an international level in our own backyards, it would be a waste to not grab this opportunity. Make it a family outing, or gather some friends and spend your weekend supporting the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Oh, did we forget to mention? Avail a 50% discount on LRT, MRT, BRT and Monorail fares until the 31st of August, a special discount to encourage the public to go green this games. More information on public transport to watch the games is available here.