体坛英语新闻：Myanmar holds the opening ceremony of 27th Southeast Asia Games

NAY PYI TAW, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony of 27th Southeast Asia (SEA) Games opend on Dec. 11 with a dazzling color and creativity.

Series of Myanmar famous singers sang songs seasonal to the spirit of the tournament an hour before the countdown as Myanmar welcomed the Southeast Asians to the SEA Games in an auspicious opening ceremony showing the country's emergence through transition to democracy.

Academy-winning director U Zin Yaw Maung Maung's presentation added with the protector matting effect by the Chinese experts served as the backdrop for theme-performance.

Detailed making of the ceremony had remained a closely guarded secret until 6 p.m. ( local time) in the capital's 30,000-seat Wunna Theikdi Stadium on Wednesday.

As the clock ticks to six, a hundred of children near the stage hold torch-lights above the heads figuring the countdown starting from the number of ten by turning on and off their torches.

Fireworks emitted from the roofs of Wunna Theikdi Stadium before Myanmar traditional orchestra using a horn, a xylophone, a Myanmar harp, and drums accompany a pair of dancers.

Thousands of smiling athletes wielded their flags followed by a group of army orchestras trooped behind their national flags with famous gold medalist flag-bearers before the host Myanmar entered.

The special guests, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, Vice Chief Minister of Thailand and Royal Prince Brunei are announced for the spectators to feel great being in the same stadium.

Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun declared the SEA Games open as Myanmar took on the role of host nation after 44 years.

The fresh silver medalist Wushu athlete Sandy Oo of Myanmar sweared a solemn oath on behalf of all the athletes while Taekwondo international referee Pyi Soe Moe took oath of the referees.

Six-time gold medalist U Thant Zin brought the torch into the stadium before passing it onto a series of 15 to 28-time gold medalists. Myanmar archer Wai Lin Tun dressing as a half-naked ancient Myanmar man or warrior with bold tattoos on his chest received the SEA Games flame from Union Minister for Culture U Aye Myint Kyu, ending a torch relay of 200 miles (about 320 Kilometers).