Highlights of the 2015 SEA Games opening ceremony
Final Torchbearers Fandi Ahmad and son Irfan Fandi watch the fireworks after lighting the cauldron at the 28th SEA Games Opening Ceremony at the Sports Hub. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY
The penultimate act of the ceremony recognised and honoured the athletes from the 11 participating countries. 1,300 participants in the act also paid tribute to former sporting legends from Singapore and the dedication of the coaches and families behind them.
The final act brought back the attention of the audience to the Republic, with performers from the previous acts re-appearing. A compilation video of Singapore’s preparations for the 28th SEA Games was also shown, followed by a symbolic “Bridge of Friendship” for the athletes to walk on, to officially welcome them.
It was then time for the official light up of the SEA Games cauldron. The first torch bearer, Clement Neo (Traditional dragon boat) arrived via boat at the water sports centre outside the National Stadium with the torch before passing it on to national badminton player Liang Xiao Yu. The route saw a total of 13 athletes from different generations, including athletics star Shanti Pereira, ex-national hockey player Annabel Pennefather and national shuttler Derek Wong. Ex-national footballer Fandi Ahmad – fresh from his Malaysia FA Cup win as coach of the Lions XII – together with his son Irfan Fandi, did the honours to ignite the flame of the SEA Games cauldron.
