Singapore's sepak takraw players kicked off the nation's SEA Games campaign on Wednesday, albeit in chinlone - a traditional sport of the host country, Myanmar.

The Singaporeans finished fifth in the five-team competition in Naypidaw.

The hosts claimed top spot while Thailand were second. Malaysia and Laos were joint-third.

Chinlone is a performance sport where teams are graded on their ability to juggle a rattan ball. Myanmar's women won the Games' first gold medal in the event on Wednesday.

The biennial competition begins officially on Dec 11 and ends on Dec 22.