Great atmosphere and racing for rowing at the 31st Southeast Asian Games

The 31^st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games took place in Vietnam from 3-22 May 2022, 19 years after Vietnam had last played host. The Games were originally planned to be held from late November to early December 2021 but were later postponed due to global pandemic situation in Vietnam. Fortunately, the Vietnamese Government approved the Games’ organisation and gave the “good to go” sign at the end of 2021, giving the local organising committee from Hai Phong City, five months to prepare. Rowing was one of the sports featured in the programme of the 31^st SEA Games, and with the close cooperation of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Security, the OC managed to assure a safe regatta for all the participants.

The venue for the rowing competition, the Giá River Dam, measuring more than 2000 meters in length and more than 300 meters in width, and nearby locations were considerately and formally arranged, and excitedly burst with the Games’ spiritual atmosphere. Rowing boats and equipment were made available by the organising committee for participating teams to borrow for training and competitions.

In preparation for the 31^st SEA Games’ rowing competition, the VCRSF (Vietnam Canoeing, Rowing and Sailing Federation) in agreement with SEARF (South East Asian Rowing Federation), determined the competition’s general programme and events, which included 16 boat classes, divided into 8 events for men and 8 for women. The rowing competition had attracted delegates and 132 athletes from 8 countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and host country Vietnam.

Notably, the 31^st SEA Games welcomed for the first time the Cambodian rowing team to compete. With the novelty in training and remarkable efforts, the Cambodian team has commendably won its very first SEA Games rowing medal, a bronze in M2x (men’s double sculls) event. This achievement is momentous since Cambodia will for the first time host a SEA Games in 2023 – the 32^nd SEA Games.

Patrick Rombaut, World Rowing Executive Committee, Council Representative and Chair of World Rowing Umpiring Commission was present during the Games to award medals for winning athletes, as well as organise seminars for International Technical Officials (ITO).  Distinguished delegates, Admiral Chainarong Charoenruk, President of Asian Rowing Federation (ARF), and Rear Admiral Praparnpongs Pochanasomburana – Secretary General of ARF,  Nicholas Ee, ARF Vice President were also present to visit and award medals for winning athletes.

After 5 days of competition, the 31^st SEA Games Rowing Tournament has successfully wrapped up with a total of 49 medals awarded to participating teams. The final ranking and medal table are as follows: