Indonesia has proposed a new regional sporting event dubbed the “SEA Games Plus,” an expanded version of the Southeast Asian Games that could possibly make its debut in the Philippines in 2028.
According to a report from seasia. news, the planned competition will open participation beyond the traditional 11 Southeast Asian nations, with invited countries expected to include Bhutan and several Oceania nations such as New Zealand and Fiji, with Australia also being considered
Indonesian Olympic Committee chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari said the expanded format is designed to raise the level of competition in the region and better prepare athletes for higher-tier international events.
By facing opponents from outside Southeast Asia, athletes are expected to gain more meaningful exposure ahead of global competitions, including the Olympic Games.
The proposed SEA Games Plus will place greater emphasis on Olympic sports, departing from the long-standing practice in which host countries adjust the event lineup to favor disciplines where they hold a competitive advantage.
Oktohari noted that previous editions hosted by various Southeast Asian nations have often featured non-Olympic or host-preferred events that influenced medal standings.
He added that staging multi-sport events requires significant financial investment, making it important for competitions to focus on sports that align with the Olympic program and provide clearer benchmarks of athletic performance.
The initiative underscores Indonesia’s push to reform regional sports competitions, with SEA Games Plus envisioned as a more standardized and internationally relevant platform for athletes in Southeast Asia and neighboring regions. (AC)
