SEA Games: Singapore athletes geared up for battle

Hurdler Dipna Lim-Prasad, 22, was not born when Burma's capital Rangoon hosted what was then known as the South-east Asia Peninsula (SEAP) Games in 1969.

After a 44-year hiatus, the region's biggest sports contest returns to the country next month.

Much has changed.

The SEAP Games is now the South-east Asia (SEA) Games.

Burma is now Myanmar, with a new capital Naypyidaw, where the majority of the 33 sports featuring at the 2013 SEA Games will be contested.

For Dipna, veteran 10-time throwing champion James Wong and the majority of the 310-strong Team Singapore contingent who will be doing battle in Myanmar from Dec 11 to 22, this will be their first foray into the country.

They may be stepping into the unknown, but Singapore's athletes are not cowed.

FLAG BEARER

Lim-Prasad, Singapore's flag bearer for the Games, will be competing in the women's 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay.

The national 400m hurdles record-holder is looking forward to the competition at the spanking new Wunna Theikdi Stadium.

Speaking at the flag presentation ceremony at the ITE College Central yesterday, she said: "(Naypyidaw) is the new capital, so I've heard it's very barren and simple - which is a change for fast-paced Singaporeans like us.

"Some athletes prefer familiar surroundings to train and compete well, but I don't think it would bother me.

"Every venue is different and has its challenges."

Singapore have never finished lower than sixth in the medal standings in the 26 editions of the biennial Games.

This year's chef de mission, Annabel Pennefather, has not set a specific medal target, but suggested the Republic face a fight to repeat the fifth-placed finish achieved in Indonesia in 2011, especially with the hosts ready to flex their muscles in what is widely regarded as their coming out party.

"If the processes are right, all technical obligations are complied with and the athletes go in with the right mindset, we will see positive results," she said.

"But we are aware that Myanmar are competing on home soil and will likely go a step higher. If they do, we have to work hard not to finish below sixth, which we've never done before."

In the build-up to the Games, there have been concerns over security, the communications network and transportation in and around Naypyidaw and Yangon - the two main cities that will host most of the events.

BOMB BLASTS

A series of bomb blasts went off around the country last month. But Pennefather believes Team Singapore will be able to "manage the situation".

"The organising committee has in place the military and the police... I don't think we need to panic but, rather, be sensible," said the veteran sports administrator.

"Our athletes will be briefed regularly on what to do... it's important to stay together and not do things that attract unnecessary attention."

Wong is a record nine-time discus champion.

The 44-year-old has 10 golds in all, with one win in the hammer. He has come out of retirement to go for No. 11 in the discus at this year's Games.

He has made no secret of the fact that he is competing because he's never gone to battle in Myanmar.

"As long as the competition is according to the rules that everyone knows, that's all that matters," said Wong.

"I know nothing about Myanmar and so I want to be surprised. As an athlete, wherever you compete, you just prepare and focus on doing your best."

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