NAY PYI TAW: The 27th SEA Games will help strengthen the relationship between countries in the region, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said yesterday.
A Nobel Peace laureate, Suu Kyi watched the final match of the men's sepak takraw team event at Wunna Theikdi stadium yesterday.
"The tournament is great," said Suu Kyi. "It will help strengthen the relationship in the region."
The 68-year-old, who is simply called 'The Lady', also called on Myanmar athletes to try their best and compete in a fair manner.
"We should also play with a great heart," she said. "Do not be discouraged by a loss and do not be overconfident with a win."
Myanmar lost to Thailand in both men's and women's sepak takraw team finals. Suu Kyi also watched equestrian and swimming.
But whether the SEA Games will help promote friendship among the 11 member nations is questionable as several countries, including Thailand, have complained that there are too many traditional sports at the Myanmar tournament.
Charoen Wattanasin, a member of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, praised the hosts for their great job in organising the Games.
"They have done well and the tournament is running smoothly," he said. "The only thing to complain is there are too many traditional sports."
Among the traditional sports at the 27th SEA Games are chinlone and vovinam.
On the other hand, tennis and gymnastics were axed from the programme.
Singapore are trying to exclude traditional sports from the programme when they host the next Games in 2015.
But they have already faced criticism for dropping international sports - including boxing, volleyball and weightlifting - from the initial list of 30 sports.
"It will be ridiculous if we don't have these sports at the SEA Games," Charoen said. "I think Singapore only want to test the water."
There will be a SEA Games Council meeting in Singapore in February when the matter will be discussed.