The 2025 SEA Games is already underway following last night’s grand opening ceremony. However, the playing field in the biennial multi-sport event has been suddenly reduced to 10 participating countries. In an unprecedented move, Cambodia has withdrawn its entire delegation from Thailand, citing safety concerns amid renewed border conflict between the two ASEAN neighbours.
With Cambodia withdrawing, the SEA Games 2025 odds of the 10 remaining nations have slightly improved. The show must go on, and SBOTOP sports fans will be treated to numerous SEA Games 2025 highlights in the provinces of Chonburi and Songkhla, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
Elsewhere, Vietnam has set its lofty medal goals on the opening day, especially since it was the top-ranked nation in the last two editions of the biennial multi-sport event. The Philippines also plans to reassert its dominance in basketball, despite some confusing constraints set by the committee.
Cambodia exits tournament after attending the opening ceremony
As of this time, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) is already making arrangements for the departure of its 110-member contingent from Thailand, where they were supposed to participate in 12 sports. During the opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday, attended by Thai royals and K-pop artist BamBam. A small delegation from Cambodia participated in the athletes’ parade.
Cambodia’s withdrawal was formalised in a letter from Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun to the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) chief executive Chaiyapak Siriwat.
“I regret to inform you that, due to serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately, NOCC must withdraw all of our delegation and arrange for their prompt return to Cambodia for safety reasons,” Chamroeun stated.
Chamroeun said the decision “was not made lightly”, adding that Cambodia “greatly appreciates the hospitality, warmth and spirit of sportsmanship” extended by the Thai organisers. “We apologise for any inconvenience this early departure may cause and remain grateful for your understanding and support,” he added.
Since Monday, at least 10 people have been killed and more than 140,000 displaced in Cambodia and Thailand, when the latter launched air strikes on Cambodian territory. Before this, both sides brokered a ceasefire in Kuala Lumpur in October, which was halted after a landmine blast injured several Thai soldiers.
Vietnam have lofty expectations on the opening day
Vietnam are gunning for at least five to six gold medals on the opening day of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. The Golden Star Warriors will compete in 16 sports today, with several strong medal prospects.
The Vietnamese have been generally competitive in martial arts sports. Jujitsu could deliver the country’s first gold of the Games, with six finals across men’s 62kg, men’s 72kg, women’s 52kg, women’s 63kg, and Duo Show (mixed pairs). Dao Hong Son is Vietnam’s best hope in the men’s 62kg division, as he’s already a two-time SEA Games champion and reigning world champion. Fans would also watch how the country fares in Taekwondo today.
The poomsae category has been a happy hunting ground for Vietnam, and some of their top bets include Nguyen Thien Phung (a seven-time world champion and five-time SEA Games gold medalist), Kim Ngan, and Kim Ha.
The Vietnamese swimmers will also compete in the men’s 200m individual medley, women’s 200m butterfly, men’s 100m freestyle, women’s 50m breaststroke, men’s 100m breaststroke, and women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. Tran Hung Nguyen will defend his gold in the 200m individual medley, while Luong Jeremie Loic Nino is a dark horse in the men’s 100m freestyle.
Also competing today are Vietnam’s rowers, cyclers, and chess players.
Philippines unfazed by basketball eligibility woes
The Philippines will have a rag-tag team in the men’s basketball category of the Games, as the country faced challenges during its formation due to the Thai organisers’ questionable eligibility process.
Gilas Pilipinas won’t have a naturalized player on the roster, as the SEA Games committee banned Justin Brownlee, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Michael Phillips. Coached by Norman Black, the Philippines roster is composed of: Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jamie Malonzo, Von Pessumal, Robert Bolick, Justin Chua, Dalph Panopio, Abu Tratter, and college standouts Allen Bryant Liwag, Veejay Pre, and Cedrick Manzano.
Despite these challenges, Black remains optimistic that Gilas can successfully defend their SEA Games crown. The Philippines enters the biennial event as the defending champions, beating Cambodia 80-69 in the previous final behind a 23-point performance from Brownlee. They are grouped alongside Malaysia and Vietnam in Group A, while Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Myanmar are in Group B.
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