Kuala Lumpur 2017 (read: 29th SEA Games) was my first ever experience of going to the stadium for such event and this memories are some of the best that i ever had. The first step in the stadium was, for me, absolutely amazing and the moment was as good as i ever imagined it would be. The events itself were spectacular and the team did a great job in making the experience particularly special. I mean, it's great to watch and support our SEA Games from television but when you went to Opening Ceremony and the Games, it really hits you that you're actually at the SEA Games. The crowd seems pretty big to me. And needless to mention, all the lighting inside the stadium was grand and glorious.
Me and my sister were at first only intended to go for the Opening Ceremony but one thing led to another, when the experience was beyond expectation, we decided to go and experience Closing Ceremony at Bukit Jalil National Stadium itself. We both were supposed to be volunteers for the Bowling Games at Sunway Pyramid. Unfortunately, i was sick and diagnosed with dengue on the day we supposed to go for a rehearsal and training at Sunway Pyramid. And this was the reason why we decided to go to Bukit Jalil for the Opening Ceremony. The Closing Ceremony was held on 30th August 2017 which also on the Merdeka Eve. Home advantage, Malaysia set 111 golds as target and accomplished far beyond that. We collected 145 gold medals and total of 323 medals. Wow i really just googled that haha! Obviously Malaysia need to raise our bar high by aiming to win more medals in bigger games like Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
The Closing Ceremony was not as majestic as the Opening Ceremony. But i still enjoyed it till the very last minute. Many Malaysian singers were there singing songs that i know. I've never been to any concert before. This was my very first time. Some of my friends were also there. We were singing like we were the one on stage lol. So much fun it's a crime. However still to me the song choices were not as good because only all Malay songs with no universal appeal and did not highlight the diversity of the nation. I don't think people from other countries including some Malaysians (the Chinese and Indian) actually enjoyed this. And i thought there would be a grand countdown to Merdeka but that was not happening. I mean, we should really considering the Merdeka Eve right instead of just concerts and public holiday announcement. Idk. And i didn't went to any of the games. I was planning to go for the Final Football Game at Shah Alam Stadium. Sadly, there were no online tickets ever sold for the particular game. Just like that, bye bye final football game. Somehow i'm glad i didn't went to the stadium for the match because i was way too emotional watching the game that Thailand ended up winning against Malaysia. Not a good game from the Malaysia team i must say. Just my 2 cents.
Overall it's such a fantastic experience to be at the National Stadium for both ceremonies and there would be this 9th ASEAN Para Games to be held soon. I wonder if i ever have time to watch any Para Games live at the venues. We'll see. Gonna send love and support the disabled as well cause we are in this together. And oh, i really love the theme song for Kuala Lumpur 2017, So Many Hands by Mia Palencia. That song is my kind of song tbh. To the next SEA Games, Manila 2019!
