Kurious-KIC Survey: Inadequate Infrastructure Highlighted as Biggest Shortcoming in SEA Games 2023

The 2023 Cambodia SEA Games was not without controversy. Incidents ranged from the Indonesian flag being displayed upside down to car headlights being used to illuminate the medal ceremony podium.

According to a survey by Kurious-Katadata Insight Center (KIC), the most prominent shortcoming of the SEA Games 2023 was infrastructure that did not meet international tournament standards, cited by 58.6% of respondents.

Furthermore, 38.7% of respondents stated that poor treatment of other countries' contingents was a significant flaw in Southeast Asia's most prestigious sporting event.

Other shortcomings highlighted included an apparently unprepared organizing committee (34.2% of respondents), and poor scheduling, accommodation, and transportation (32.6% of respondents).

The remaining 11.9% of respondents mentioned other shortcomings at the SEA Games 2023.

The Kurious-KIC survey also revealed several measures to prevent cheating in future SEA Games. These include increased supervision and transparency in the selection and assessment process (68.5%), strengthening regulations and sanctions for each sport (59.7%), strict law enforcement against rule violations (53.1%), and providing ethics and integrity education to athletes, coaches, and related parties (37.9%).

The survey involved 638 respondents from various regions across Indonesia, with 52.8% male and 47.2% female respondents.

Over half of the respondents were from Java (excluding Jakarta) at 66.3%, followed by Jakarta (13.3%), and Sumatra (10.3%). Respondents from Kalimantan, Bali-Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Maluku-Papua ranged from 0.5% to 4.1%.

Most respondents were aged between 35-44 years (31.5%), followed by the 25-34 year age group (30.4%) and the 45-54 year age group (21.8%).

The survey was conducted from May 12 to May 19, 2023, using computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI), with a margin of error of approximately 3.62% and a 95% confidence level.