Interviewer: Thitsa (MNA), Photos: Zwe Marn
Athletes from relevant sports teams representing Myanmar depart one after another for Thailand to take part in the XXXIII SEA Games, starting from 30 November. Yesterday morning, athletes of Sepak Takraw, Chinlone (Caneball), equestrian, gymnastics and rowing teams left for Thailand.
In elevating the nation’s prestige, the sports sector plays an important role. As citizens, individuals and teams alike have contributed to honouring the nation across generations. Today, young people continue to uphold this tradition by serving the country and its people through the fields in which they excel, and among them, selected athletes stand at the forefront. During major competitions such as the SEA Games, the public eagerly follows and supports the events across the different sports categories. As athletes return home carrying gold medals that bring pride and honour to the nation, people are prepared to warmly and joyfully welcome them back.
The national teams representing Myanmar in Sepak Takraw, Chinlone, equestrian, gymnastics, and rowing departed the Yangon International Airport yesterday morning for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chonburi of Thailand to compete in the SEA Games. The athletes shared their thoughts before departure, expressing their determination, confidence, and strong desire to achieve success and bring home medals.
U Zaw Lin (Sepak Takraw team administrator)
A total of 18 men and 15 women athletes together with eight administrative officials and coaches will take part in the SEA Games. They will participate in the make regu teamwise and female regu teamwise, mixed quadrant, and Hook Takraw events. On 10 December, they will start competition in the Hoop Takraw event.
To win medals for the nation, we trained throughout 2025 in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon. We can say that our training is fully complete. At the XXXII SEA Games, the women’s team also won a medal, and for this year’s SEA Games, we expect to win gold in the mixed quadrant event for both men and women. As support for Chinlone continues to grow in Myanmar, our team is determined to give our utmost to win a gold medal. We respectfully request all the people of Myanmar to support us in the competition.
Daw Khin Aye Mu (Traditional Chinlone team administrator)
For the SEA Games, 12 men and 12 women were selected in February and placed in training camp. From these, the final squad of eight men and eight women was chosen for the competition. We will be competing in two events — Men’s and Women’s Event-3 — and our main opponent is the host country. The traditional Chinlone events will begin on 9 December for both the men’s and women’s teams, and the final matches will take place on 10 December. Since only two events are being contested in this SEA Games, we are aiming for gold.
At the XXXII SEA Games, we won four gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal. Therefore, we ask all Myanmar people, both at home and abroad, to support Myanmar’s traditional Chinlone team in the upcoming competition.
Ko Chan Myae Win (Deputy in-charge of Myanmar Equestrian Team)
We have been preparing for the SEA Games for quite a long time. We trained four to five times in Pattaya, Thailand, and we have also gained international experience. Some of the top riders from the 2013 SEA Games will also be competing. In the equestrian events, we will compete in show jumping as well as in the Eventing Team category. Equestrian sport is unique because it requires both the rider and the horse to compete together. Our competitions will take place on 13, 17, and 19 December. Equestrian events are difficult to predict compared to other sports, but we will compete at our best. At the XXXII SEA Games, we won silver and bronze medals, and for this SEA Games, we will strive to win a gold medal for the country. Many people in Myanmar love and value equestrian sports as part of our traditional heritage, so we would like to ask everyone to give their full support to our team.
U Kaung Zaw (Administrator of gymnastics sports)
Before the competition, we trained for a full year both domestically and abroad. At the SEA Games, one male and two female athletes will compete in MAG and WAG gymnastics events. Although we did not participate in the XXXII SEA Games, we have competed in other tournaments and won medals. The competition will take place from 10 to 12 December, with athletes from seven ASEAN countries participating. We have prepared and trained to our fullest, and as national athletes, we aim to return with medals, serving as role models and inspiration for the next generation of young athletes.
U Zaw Lwin Tun (Rowing team administrator)
For the SEA Games, athletes from regions and states were trained for over a year. In the competition, seven athletes — three men and six women — will participate in seven different events. The team also includes one administrator and three coaches. In previous competitions in the Philippines and Vietnam, the team has won bronze medals. In this SEA Games, the men will compete in one singles rowing event and a doubles rowing event, along with another event, while the women will compete in one singles rowing event and a four-person rowing event, totalling seven events overall.
Since we trained intensively in comparison with the standards at the competition in Vietnam, we expect the women’s four oar rowing team to win gold. With strong competitors from five other countries, we will give our best effort. The competition will run from 14 to 17 December, with an additional event on 19 December. Arriving early allows the team to acclimate to the water and wind conditions of the host country, giving them an advantage in the competition. The people of Myanmar are eagerly awaiting encouraging messages to inspire our international rowing athletes representing the country at the SEA Games. We aim to return with gold medals that will enhance the nation’s prestige. — Translated.
