Myanmar struggling in preparations for 2017 Southeast Asian Games

Myanmar's Sporting Federations are facing issues ahead of the 2017 Southeast Asian Games ©Getty Images

Myanmar’s preparations for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia have hit early problems after deputy director of the Ministry of Sport Thet Lwin revealed some of the nation’s Sports Federations had disbanded following the 2015 event in Singapore.

Swimming is perhaps the most high-profile sport to be without a governing body in the country while according to Lwin, officials from the Ministry could step in to lead the Myanmar Rowing Federation (MRF).

Myanmar Swimming Federation head coach Kazushi Nakayama told The Myanmar Times that the organisation was also without sponsorship but they were carrying on their training programmes despite their issues.

“[With no Federation] we are without leadership and sponsors but we are maintaining the training of our current national swimmers,” Nakayama said.

"Swimmers never stop training.

"In this sport you need to be constantly in the pool, so we need training facilities and international competition."

The MRF meanwhile are encountering similar issues, according to the same publication, which comes as a further blow to Myanmar’s rowers as the sport looks set to be cut from the programme for the 2017 event.

The Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) are yet to confirm the full list of sports which will be held at their Games in two years’ time, with Malaysia’s 2017 Games Organising Committee chief executive Zolkples Embong admitting the current number of 39 could be reduced.

Back in June, the SEAGF announced they had accepted ice hockey and ice skating onto the programme, which will represent the first time winter sports have been staged at the Games.

Malaysia 2017 chief executive Zolkples Embong is hoping to have as many Olympic sports on the programme for the event as possible ©Malaysia 2017

Embong has also said they were looking at focusing on Olympic sports when the nation hosts the 2017 event, with competitions due to be held in Kuala Lumpur and Borneo, subject to approval.

Despite the issues that appear to be plaguing Myanmar’s build-up to the Games, Lwin remains confident that the situation can be rectified.

Myanmar came home from Singapore with a total 68 medals, which included 12 golds.

“We have been in contact with Myanmar’s Sport Federations and we have heard back from 29 of those sports who have already begun preparations,” Lwin said.

“Some Federations have not yet replied and I think that they are not yet ready to begin training and preparations for national athletes.

“But we have plenty of time for that and will make our plans accordingly.”