Having a great holiday is all about the experience. Why not make it a sporting experience? After all, we have some great sporting events happening right here in South-East Asia. Lace up your trainers, ready your water bottle and prepare for some amazing sporting events to enjoy in 2016. Don’t worry, you need not participate if you don’t want to; you can just go and watch.
One notable event throughout the year is Thai kickboxing, or Muay Thai, one of the world’s most respected martial arts. It sits proudly alongside a diverse group of fascinating martial arts that originate from this region. Due to its popularity, Muay Thai also offers spectators a thrill like no other. The great heartland of the sport is Lumpinee Stadium in the Thai capital.
The original Lumpinee stadium, the great faded concrete venue of kickboxing pilgrimage, was replaced with a brighter, more modern stadium in a different part of the city in 2014.
Despite initial fears by diehard fans, the new stadium bursts with atmosphere, offering visitors a thrilling chance to enjoy the power and grace of competitors. Fights take place all year round at the new Lumpinee Stadium located on Ramintra Road, near Don Muang Airport, Bangkok.
May-June – The Badminton World Federation World Super Series hits Indonesia this month, with the BCA Indonesian Open. This stage of the BWF World Super Series gives fans the chance to appreciate some sublime skills on the courts, with some of the world’s finest players in competition to claim victory in Jakarta. The Indonesian Open takes place from May 30 to June 5 in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. Get your tickets, and get ready to be wowed.
Feel the roar of the Singapore Grand Prix this September. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Chen Siyuan
September – Not all sports are as peaceful as badminton, of course. For a sport with a little more horsepower, take the opportunity to enjoy the world’s most thrilling night race, with the Singapore Grand Prix.
Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Singapore skyline, this action-packed stage of the F1 sees the sleek, 1,000 horsepower monsters streaking through the streets under bright floodlights, seeking to earn their place in sporting history. The 2016 Grand Prix takes place in Singapore from Sept 16-18, with engines firing up for the main race at 8pm on Sept 18.
Relax at the Asian Beach Games at Nha Trang this September and October. Photo: Dima Fadeev
September-October – If open-air sports is more your style, then the Asian Beach Games is for you, come September. The 2016 games are due to be held in the popular tourist destination of Nha Trang, Vietnam. It delivers a true open-air spectator experience and a great party atmosphere. The games involve around 3,500 competitors from 45 Asian nations, competing in everything from beach volleyball to wrestling. The 2016 Asian Beach Games take place from Sept 23 to Oct 4 on My Khe Beach.
For piston-loving followers of Formula 1, you are in for a double treat. TPhotohe Malaysian Grand Prix returns to the Sepang International Circuit in Selangor at the end of September for a fuel-injected thrill ride like no other. The Grand Prix offers race enthusiasts the chance to smell the burning rubber, feel the roar of the engines and enjoy the excitement of the motor sports premier event, right here in Malaysia.
Practice and qualifying rounds take place on Sept 30 and Oct 1, with the main event setting pulses racing from 3pm on Oct 2.
The Sepang International Circuit hosts the F1 in September and the MotoGP in October. Photo: Ahmad Faizal Yahya
October – Monstrous engines on four wheels are one thing, but monstrous engines on just two bring a whole new excitement to the roar of the track.
The Sepang International Circuit again plays host to a variety of high-octane motorbike races, perhaps none more popular than the Malaysia edition of the 2016 MotoGP Championship.
Get ready for the high-adrenaline event as the championship heats up.
As the second-last race of the 2016 season, the Malaysian edition of this rip-roaring motorcycle race is sure to be something special. Watch them zooming around on Oct 30, at the Sepang International Circuit.
Thuwunna Stadium, Myanmar, is the venue for the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup football match. Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons/Ranking Update
November – Finally, if you love the “beautiful game”, the 2016 Asean Football Federation Championship is due to take the Asean region by storm.
The qualifying rounds of the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup will be co-hosted by the Philippines and Myanmar, starting Nov 19, at various locations throughout the two host nations.
Get your tickets for the action as reigning champion Thailand battles to retain their title.
Source: https://www.star2.com/
