The 7th Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games that ran from 1 to 8 September 1973 were hugely significant as the first international sports event ever held in Singapore. There were 16 sporting events, the names of which are indicated on this souvenir card, and a total of 1,623 athletes from 7 countries who participated. Singapore fielded the largest contingent with 454 athletes who took part in all 16 events. The Singapore team won 45 gold medals, 50 silvers and 45 bronzes, second in the overall medal tally behind Thailand. The Singapore team also set 19 new SEAP Games records and one Asian Games record.Singapore had originally been selected by the SEAP Games Federation Council as host of the 6th SEAP Games in 1971. The request was turned down as Singapore did not yet have the facilities for such an event. However, as the construction of the National Stadium at Kallang was nearing completion, Singapore submitted a successful bid to host the 7th SEAP Games in 1973. Toa Payoh was chosen as the Games Village because of its proximity to the National Stadium and the availability of the newly-built Toa Payoh sports complex facilities for the use of the athletes.
