Malaysia says members agreed on 2027 SEA Games sports programme

The decision to stage 43 sports and 473 events at Malaysia’s 2027 SEA Games was agreed by all member countries, rather than imposed by the host, Malaysian Olympic chief Mohamad Norza Zakaria said. He was responding to criticism from Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir over the omission of Olympic disciplines.

Norza, who also heads the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) for 2025-2027, said consultations began in April 2026 and took account of members’ views and requests. In comments carried on the official SEA Games 2027 website, he described the selection process as systematic and transparent.

Malaysia initially proposed 38 sports. Member countries subsequently submitted 29 requests for additions, which were examined by the SEAGF Sports and Rules Committee. The discussions then went to the federation’s executive committee and its council, comprising national Olympic committee or council presidents from 11 Southeast Asian countries. Norza said members agreed to add five sports.

Erick had questioned why climbing, rowing, beach volleyball and badminton team events would not feature in the 2027 Games. These have been sources of Indonesian gold medals. He argued that excluding Olympic disciplines betrayed the efforts of Southeast Asian athletes who had represented their countries at the Olympics, and said he had received input from Indonesia’s national Olympic committee and sports bodies.