King opens Kuala Lumpur SEA Games

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V tonight officially declared the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games (KL2017) open at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil here.

His Majesty arrived at 8.22pm accompanied by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and also Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar after his speech invited His Majesty to declare KL2017 open.

Standing at the royal rostum, Sultan Muhammad said: "Bismillahirahmanirrahim, I with the greatest pleasure declare the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur open."

Dignitaries present included Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

The 29th edition of the Games until Aug 30 brings together some 4,900 athletes from 11 countries, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor Leste and hosts Malaysia.

At stake is 404 gold medals in 38 sports, with ice skating, ice hockey, indoor hockey and cricket being held for the first time.

-- BERNAMA