Vientiane 's new sports complex opened its doors to the media on Friday to display the progress in preparations for the 25th SEA Games.
During the visit journalists saw that many facilities were complete except for some final touches and furnishings, but some sports fields were still under construction.
National Stadium Director Khamman Khoumphon said during the media visit that the beach volleyball and archery fields were still under construction. “We will hurry to complete them as soon as possible because we need to test the outdoor and indoor stadiums and improve them before the games.”
There are six stadiums inside the new national sporting complex at km 16, in Dongxanghin village Xaythany district. The largest is the main football stadium which can hold over 17,000 people and will also be used for the SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies.
“There are also two indoor stadiums for volleyball and badminton. Other facilities include tennis courts, swimming pool and shooting stadiums,” he said.
Mr Khamman said according to the SEA Games Organising Committee the sports complex is to be tested and checked for construction standards and management before the start of the games.
“The badminton federation is the first testing its indoor stadium and on October 2 the first football match will be played in the stadium,” he said.
The media visit, organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, was to allow local media to ask questions and view progress in preparations.
Mr Khamman said the organising committee had agreed to hold a handover ceremony of the facilities on September 22, when he believed construction of both the archery and beach volleyball facilities would be complete.
The games will take place at the National Stadium and complex, Chao-Anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district, the International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Beungkhayong stadium, Don Chan Palace hotel and facilities at the National University of Laos.
The games will be held from December 9 to 18 and will comprise 383 events in the 25 sports of athletics, swimming, archery, badminton, snooker and billiards, muay, cycling, football, golf, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, shooting, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, pencak silat, petanque, fin swimming, diving and shuttlecock.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes
