The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) will finish the construction of the international ‘Olympasia' indoor stadium next month. The stadium will host boxing events during the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.
Currently, LAOSOC is working on improvements to the building's electrical system and athletes' facilities. They are also working on landscaping in and around the stadium.
The construction was planned in two phases, the first running from January to June of 2006.
The Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) spent US$140,000 on the first phase of the project, with assistance from the Olympic Council of Asia.
Manager of Construction Projects for the 25th SEA Games, Mr Khiengkham Phoutchanhthavongsa said the Lao government will spend more than 3 billion kip on the second phase of construction, running from 2007 to September of this year.
With seating for 700 people, the new court is 36 metres wide and 42 metres in length, and has an 18 metre high ceiling. The stadium will be tested before holding SEA Games events.
Currently, the Lao national boxing team is training in Milan , Italy until September 13, where they will compete in the World Championships. The team will continue training at the national sports training centre in Sikeuth village in Naxaithong district after returning from Italy .
During the SEA Games, boxing events held at Olympasia stadium will be contested in ten different weight divisions for men, and six for women.
At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, the Lao boxing team won one silver and five bronze medals.
After hosting the 25th SEA Games, the LNSC and the National University of Laos will use the indoor stadium to host national and international events.
The university has three venues that will be used during the games including an indoor stadium for taekwondo events, a field for petanque events, and Olympasia for the boxing compitition.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
