KORAT, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Two events that were dropped from the Korat SEA Games four days ago, have been reinstated, increasing the number of gold medals at stake to 475 from 473.
The two events reinstated by the host country are equestrian (eventing) and women's cycling in the downhill event, after Indonesia and Vietnam confirmed their participation respectively.
Korat SEA Games Technical Committee chairman Dr Sakphai Thapsuwan said initially, eventing in equestrian was dropped as there were only two countries -- Thailand and Malaysia - but since Indonesia have come aboard, the event was reinstated.
"For the women's downhill cycling event, Vietnam confirmed their participation and will join Thailand and Malaysia," Thapsuwan told a group of journalists who are visiting Korat to view preparations for the Games that will officially open on Dec 6.
Apart from the inclusion of the two events, there is also good news for footballers, especially Group A teams Malaysia, Laos, Singapore and Vietnam, as Thapsuwan announced that the match time for their matches had been rescheduled from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
He said the change was to accommodate requests from Malaysia and Vietnam for a review of the match time.
Malaysia will open their SEA Games football campaign against 2005 Manila SEA Games silver medalist, Vietnam on Dec 1 in Korat and will be hoping to avenge their semi-final defeat to Vietnam in Manila.
The Malaysian squad, represented by the under-23 team coached by B. Sathiananthan, will also want to perform better than their bronze medal finish two years ago.
Although the Games that will feature 5,175 athletes, 1,967 officials and 1,000 technical delegates, officially opens on Dec 6, some events like shooting and football start much earlier.
Shooting which is expected to offer the Games' first gold medal will start on Nov 27 in Bangkok.
Out of the 43 sports contested, Korat will host 30 while Bangkok plays host to 6 and Chonburi, the rest.
-- BERNAMA
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