Weightlifting and karate are out while petanque, boxing and equestrian are in, with floorball making its debut as a full medal sport for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games (June 5-16) in Singapore.
For now, there will be 381 gold medals up for grabs but the number could increase when the SEA Games Federation council meets in Singapore to make a final decision on the line-up of sports for the 28th edition of the biennial Games.
Speaking to TODAY, Singapore National Olympic Council Secretary-General Chris Chan said the local organising committee and SEA Games Federation council members have agreed to cap the number of sports at 36, after a series of meetings.
"In the original list, we have 30 sports but after appeals by the member countries at the SEA Games Federation council meeting here last month, we have decided to include six more to the original list to make it 36," said Chan.
The six sports to be added are Boxing (11 gold medals), Equestrian (4), Floorball (2), Petanque (8), Rowing (18) and Volleyball (2).
"That's the furthest we can go," said Chan, who expects more appeals from member countries when the federation meets here late next month and the likelihood that the number of gold medals will be increased.
Chan's Malaysian counterpart, Sieh Kok Chi, agrees that 36 would be the maximum. "In Singapore's case, the bus is full. They cannot take in any more passengers. Given their resources and the limited number of venues, I think 36 sports is fair," said Sieh.
Chan added that the list of sports to be contested in Singapore adheres to the SEA Games charter, which includes the spreading of Olympic principles through its member countries.
"Of the 36 sports, 24 are contested at the Olympics and 34 will be contested at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in September," said Chan.
"But I have received appeals from member countries that a few more events should be included… countries who are strong in those sports and are likely gold medallists.
"For example, the Thais want women's golf, women's football and badminton team events. The Malaysians want to add the Compound event in archery when there is only Recurve in the original list. There is also an appeal to add beach volleyball.
"But we know the limitations we face and the costs to be incurred if we hold additional events.
The local organising committee are also trying to keep the gold medal tally down to a more manageable level, with wushu and boxing told to keep the numbers down.
Wushu had 23 gold medals in their original list but have been told to pare it down, given the understanding that apart from swimming and athletics, no one sport should have more than 5 per cent of the total gold medals at stake.
"We have exceeded the 5 per cent mark and have been asked to reduce it to 20 gold medals," confirmed a spokesman for the Singapore Wushu Federation.
Likewise, boxing have been told to drop down from 11 gold medals to 10.
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