SINGAPORE: Some events at the upcoming 33rd SEA Games will be shifted to Bangkok after days of severe flooding in the southern Thai province of Songkhla.

The Games organising committee on Thursday (Nov 27) approved the venue changes due to the floods, which caused "damage and impacted readiness". Songkhla had been set to host the Dec 9 to Dec 20 biennial multi-sport event, along with Bangkok and Chonburi 

The competition venues for 10 sports that were originally scheduled to take place in Hat Yai and Mueang Songkhla districts, will now be held in Bangkok.

They are: Muay (boxing), the men's football qualification rounds, chess, kabaddi, wushu, pencak silat, judo, petanque, karate, billiards and snooker. Wrestling will also be moved to Chonburi.

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"The committee emphasised that these adjustments were made to ensure safety for athletes, officials, and spectators, and to safeguard the international standards of the Games," a statement read on Facebook.

"The organising committee reaffirmed that despite the venue changes, Thailand remains fully committed to delivering an efficient, well-managed, and world-class 33rd SEA Games, reinforcing the confidence of all participating nations."

A government spokesperson said that flood-related deaths in Songkhla surged from six to 55 on Thursday, bringing the overall death toll across seven provinces to at least 82 people.

Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) president Grace Fu said that the country's Olympic Council backed Thailand's decision to relocate the Songkhla events.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Ms Fu, who is also Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, said the council recognises the challenges facing the Games organisers, and commended the “organisers and authorities for their efforts to find alternative solutions for our athletes and officials”.

"Our thoughts are with the residents of Hat Yai and the Songkhla province who have been affected by the floods.

"We are confident that, together, the SEA Games family will overcome this difficult period with resilience and unity."

She added that Team Singapore will continue to prepare and adapt as needed, and that SNOC will fully support the athletes and officials from the affected sports as they "adjust to the changes".

"We remain grateful to Thailand for their continued commitment to hosting the SEA Games under challenging circumstances."

Singapore is sending its largest contingent to the Games, with 930 athletes set to compete in 48 sports.

Marc Leishman moved into contention at the European tour's season-opening Australian PGA Championship on Friday after shooting a 68 to sit two shots behind surprise clubhouse leader Brett Rankin at Royal Queensland.

Home hero Leishman, a six-times winner on the U.S. tour, mixed five birdies with four bogeys after starting a roller-coaster second round from the back nine, keeping in touch with a long chip-in for eagle on the par-five seventh.

"I've won big tournaments before so I know how to win," the burly 42-year-old told reporters.

"I feel like I’m doing everything that I can do and playing well. So hopefully I can just execute on the weekend and get over the line."

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Leishman moved to a seven-under total of 135, two behind Rankin, who grinded through 27 holes in the Brisbane heat and humidity after Thursday's opening round was cut short by a storm.

Rankin finished his first round in seven-under par early in the morning then shot 69 in the second round, ruing a double-bogey on the par-three 17th as his back tightened up.

"I’m almost 40 now, so I’m starting to get those aches and pains and I just can't do what I used to do when I was 22," said the 39-year-old, ranked 981st in the world.

"It’d mean the world to me (to win), for sure .... It’d be the biggest, best thing so far besides having my daughter."

Rankin held a one-stroke lead over a clutch of players including Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia, home golfer Christopher Wood and Frenchman Tom Vaillant.

Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who won his only major at the U.S. Open in 2006, turned back the clock with a round of 68 to be five under, four behind Rankin.

SINGAPORE: Gavin Lee was on Friday (Nov 28) named as permanent head coach of the Singapore men's national football team.

The 35-year-old was officially unveiled at a press conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium. 

Earlier on Thursday, CNA reported that Lee had been offered the full-time role and was expected to put pen to paper.

This move comes hot on the heels of Lee leading the Singapore men’s national football team to a historic victory, which saw them qualify for the tournament on merit for the first time.

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Singapore's only appearance came in 1984, when they took part automatically as hosts.

In a winner-takes-all clash earlier this month, the Lions came from behind to beat Hong Kong 2-1 to seal their berth in the tournament.

At 28, Lee became the youngest head coach in Singapore Premier League history when he took the helm of BG Tampines Rovers.

He joined the national team in March 2024 as part of then-Lions head coach Tsutomu Ogura’s backroom staff. Lee eventually became an assistant to the Japanese tactician.

When Ogura departed in June due to personal reasons, Lee was appointed interim head coach.

Prior to Lee's appointment, a number of candidates were linked to the post, including former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Nick Montgomery and Jesus Casas, the former head coach of the Iraq national team.