The Lao national petanque squad will be more confident of winning gold in the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane at the end of this year after testing themselves in events at the national and regional level.
In their first test, six males and 14 females from the national squad will compete in a special event (open doubles) at the 1st Vietnamese Ambassador's Cup at the Vangnampheung petanque field in Sikeuth village in Naxaithong district on August 29-30.
More than 100 players from Vientiane , the provinces, and the national team will play in the Ambassador's Cup to celebrate the 64th anniversary of Vietnamese National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2009).
Lao petanque trainer, Mr Vatsan Phommachan said the national players welcome the opportunity to see and compete against players from other provinces and the Lao Petanque Federation and in return these players are happy to support the national team.
Mr Vatsan said six males and six females will play in a friendly competition in Vietnam on September 8-9 to celebrate Vietnamese National Day.
The national petanque team will continue to train at the standard petanque field at the National University of Laos after returning from Vietnam .
He said the Lao players will be experienced enough before they compete in the petanque events at the games.
The national team will test their technique in the 3rd Prime Minister's Cup in Borikhamxay province at the end of October. The 1st Prime Minister's Cup was held in Vientiane in 2007 and the 2nd Minister's Cup in Attapeu province in 2008.
The most experienced male player at the national and international levels, Mr Phonexay Luangmisy is 24 years old, he comes from Champassak province.
Mr Phonexay is currently preparing at the university's field to compete in the Ambassador's Cup and also the 25th SEA Games. He has been training at the university since April.
He won a gold medal in the men's singles in the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December. He won a gold medal in the men's team at the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines in 2005 and a bronze medal in the men's doubles in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.
He said he would like to compete in the men's doubles event in this year's games and he is hopeful of winning a gold medal at home.
He began playing petanque when he was 14 years old. Currently he is studying economics at Champassak Provincial College .
First and second places in the 1st Ambassador's Cup will receive a trophy and cash prize, while the third place getter will only receive a cash prize.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
