Interest spikes for pre-games volleyball invitational
The nation's representative volleyballers' performances will be under close scrutiny as they line up against top teams from neighbouring countries.
Lao Volleyball Federation Secretary Sichanh Chittapanya said that while the country's top players had been training together since April, they had never been tested in competition.
“This event will be good for us in ascertaining their level and many other aspects of the game,” he said.
Thai and Vietnamese volleyball clubs will participate in the invitational event, to be held from November 4-6 at the National Stadium.
It will also be a test for both referees and the organising committee as they prepare for the 25th SEA Games next month.
There will be four teams participating in the test event including two men's teams from Laos , one from Thailand and one from Vietnam . Each team will have 12 men.
“We will see how strong the home side is, and this will be important for us as we learn from the experience of tackling these clubs,” he said.
The federation believes the men's volleyball team will be 100 percent fit for this event and promised to learn as much as possible from the experience in a bid to improve themselves prior to next month's main attraction.
The Lao side participated in previous SEA Games held in Vietnam and Thailand , but didn't find much success.
This time, with Laos hosting the games, local players are practising hard to go further in the competition.
“We have to accept that the opposition is professional, not amateur, so their skills and tactics might be much better, but this time is different so, who knows, we might get a medal in this SEA Games,” he said.
“After this tournament we will know more about what to expect at the games and the extent of our ability opportunity to go through to the business-end of the competition.”
The opening ceremony of the event will take place at the volleyball court at the National Stadium from 9 am, with the competition to continue through until 5 pm.
“This is free for spectators, so I would like to ask local people to come and cheer our athletes and give them encouragement,” Mr Sichanh said.
He said if locals supported the competition in the same way as they did the 4-Nations Football Tournament, the athletes would be lifted to greater performances on the day.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes
