A member of the Lao national badminton team, Mr Phonepasith Phengsengchan, 19, is hopeful of winning a medal at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.
Mr Phonepasith won a gold medal in the male junior doubles at the Kason Bangkok Chiang Mai Badminton Tournament 2005 in Thailand , which involved six countries.
He is currently training with the national squad at the Police Indoor Courts under the guidance of a Chinese coach. The team will move to the Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district, in August.
He said neighbouring countries such as Thailand and China have some of the best badminton players in the world and it will be difficult for him to defeat them at the games.
Mr Phonepasith won a gold medal in the men's team (three players) event at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, where he represented Saravan province.
His most recent success was a bronze medal in the men's singles open category at the Vientiane Governor's Cup held at the Thanong-at indoor court last week.
He is in his first year at the National University of Laos and began playing badminton when in lower secondary school.
Last Sunday, Mr Phonepasith won the KT Badminton Club's President's Cup by defeating his friend Mr Phanthavouth Sisomdeth 2-1 (15-10, 11-15, 15-11).
He has been training with the club since 2004. The club has many young players in the national team.
The club finished with the number one ranking at the eighth National Assembly President's Cup two years ago.
Former national players are also involved in training youngsters at the club.
The president's cup comprises senior male doubles, A and B level male doubles and the men's open singles.
The KT Badminton Club will host the cup on December 25 to celebrate the club's establishment.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
