KUALA LUMPUR – Indonesia has expressed disappointment over the exclusion of several sports from the 2027 SEA Games programme, warning that the decision could undermine sporting fairness and the spirit of competition across the region.
Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said sporting events should serve as a platform to promote sportsmanship and strengthen ties between neighbouring countries, rather than limit athletes’ opportunities to compete at regional level.
According to media reports in Indonesia, Erick pointed out that Southeast Asian athletes have repeatedly demonstrated their world-class abilities by winning gold medals at the Olympic Games across various disciplines.
He cited the Philippines’ two gold medals in gymnastics at the previous SEA Games, Thailand’s success in taekwondo, Vietnam’s achievements in shooting, and Indonesia’s triumphs in sport climbing and weightlifting.
“These developments show that we have world-class athletes in this region. It is disappointing because sport teaches us sportsmanship. As neighbouring countries, we should support the development of sports at regional level.
“If Olympic sports are not given the opportunity to compete, it is as though we are betraying the efforts of athletes who have worked hard to raise their respective national flags,” he was quoted as saying.
A total of 10 sports are set to be excluded from the biennial games, including eight disciplines in which Indonesia has a strong interest.
They are sport climbing, rowing, beach volleyball, wrestling, kickboxing, jujitsu, chess and handball.
Erick also said Indonesia would initiate sports diplomacy by engaging with other countries in the region to seek clarification over the decision.
The development comes after Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari maintained that there should be no controversy surrounding the selection of sports for the 2027 edition, stressing that the process had followed the procedures and requirements set by the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) and received the agreement of member nations. – November 13, 2026