25th SEA Games, Laos

Accurate weather forecasts are important as sports venue and road construction companies make work plans in the run-up to the SEA Games in December, a Vientiane weather forecaster says.

Head of the Meteorology and Hydrology Department's Weather Forecast and Aeronautical Division, Ms Souvani Phonevilay, said because Laos was hosting the SEA Games this year the department would be providing up-to-date information.

Competitors in the games would be able to receive weather forecasts through SMS text messages to mobile phones, while construction companies were contacting the department for current information.

“We have been quite busy with the onset of the rainy season because construction companies are especially interested in getting accurate weather forecasts so they can plan various construction jobs, especially those building sports facilities for the games,” she said yesterday.

“We are now giving information to about nine construction companies working on sports venues as well as five other construction companies. It's very useful for them in making plans for different aspects of their work.”

The department is issuing weather forecasts to the companies every day and one week ahead so they know how heavy rainfall will be. This is important for site supervisors wanting to work with cement or lay asphalt.

The department also issues weather forecasts every six hours.

“We are working with Lao Telecommunications (LTC) on providing weather forecasts through SMS text messaging during the SEA Games. LTC is considering whether they will support us in this,” Ms Souvani said.

In October, media will be invited to attend a seminar organised by the department about weather forecasts. Technical jargon will be explained so journalists can pass on information to the public and raise weather reporting standards to international levels.

The seminar will also prepare staff for providing forecasts to athletes so they will be informed about local weather conditions during their events.

Facility Construction Department Chief of the Lao National Sports Committee, Mr Phaiboun Chanthamaly, said “Weather forecasts are very important for us in planning construction of the main stadium for the games. We need to know how to schedule various jobs in advance so we can get everything done on time.”

“We get weather forecasts one week in advance from the Weather Forecast and Aeronautical Division. If we know it's going to rain we don't make plans to lay concrete or asphalt, or dig the ground to lay foundations.”

Now that it's raining, he said, workers were planting grass around the Km 16 national football stadium and had nearly finished the job.

“We need to know about the weather a week in advance so we can plan the next construction job. It's important for road construction and also in assigning manpower to the right area of work, especially during the rainy season,” said Deputy Project Head of the Phontong Road upgrade project, Mr Tingkham Sysavath.

He said if he knew heavy rain was on the way, he would stop paving or preparing soil and instead would lay drainage pipes or get on with other work that would not be affected by rain.

Accurate weather information ensured work went smoothly and the job would be finished on time, he said.


By Panyasith Thammavongsa
Vientianetimes

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad ordered all 25 sports federations to consider the welfare of Lao athletes as they prepare for the 25th SEA Games.

After visiting a number of training centres and talking to athletes, Mr Somsavat gathered 25th SEA Games committees and federation officials last Friday to discuss the problems the athletes had raised.

“All federations should pay more attention to the needs of their athletes. I went to see how they are faring at each training centre and they told me about their problems, with some requesting assistance,” Mr Somsavat said at the latest SEA Games meeting.

The first issue brought to his attention was medical care. Most of the training centres need doctors and physiotherapists to carry out regular health checks. Canteen facilities were also considered to be inadequate.

“Medical care and better food were two of their main concerns. The health of athletes is very important because they train hard and need nutritious food to give them energy. The food and health sectors should work together to provide this,” he said.

Mr Somsavat said if these problems could be resolved it will help encourage athletes to train and compete to the best of their abilities.

“We should attend to their needs and take care of them very well,” he said.

Some athletes at the SEA Games sports training centre in Sikeud village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane , complained their schools and universities were pressuring them over repeated absences.

“If athletes don't attend classes for three days they are penalised. This has a strong, direct impact on them. The sectors involved should verify whether schools or universities are following the Prime Minister's Order on this matter,” he said.

With so many students competing in the games on behalf of Laos , why couldn't the nation help them with their studies? he asked.

Mr Somsavat cited the example of a goalkeeper in the national women's football team who works in a timber factory in Xaysettha district, Vientiane . She told him if she was absent from work for three days she would be fined by her employer.

“I've heard that she is a good goalkeeper. Her hands are stickier than sticky rice!

“I would like to know if the Lao Football Federation has discussed the matter with her employer or not. All federations should take care of their athletes because it's very important,” he said.

Some athletes training abroad also worry about their school and work commitments. Their families call them with news that their employer or school has been looking for them.

Mr Somsavat instructed federation officials to address these problems through direct discussions with schools and employers.

“Negotiate with them and then take signed papers to athletes' families to confirm the school or employer has given permission for them to be absent. Then athletes and their families will have confidence and won't have to worry about this situation,” he said.

He stressed sports federations should follow up on these matters and said all problems should be solved before the next SEA Games meeting, scheduled for May 9.

He informed the public and the federations that the Prime Minister was closely monitoring progress on issues concerning athletes' welfare.

“All the problems regarding SEA Games preparations are reported to Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh. He has advised me to make enquiries and help the committees solve these problems, especially the concerns of athletes,” he said.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

More than 100 martial artists gave a demonstration to a curious crowd at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the National University of Laos on Saturday.

The demonstrators, from the junior and senior categories of various martial arts, comprised 50 judo fighters, and 40 male and 21 female practitioners of aikido. They came from Vietnam , Cambodia , Singapore , Thailand and Laos and performed alongside karatedo teams. They received training for this event from Japanese experts.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavat Boupha, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Bouangeun Xaphouvong, Japanese Ambassador to Laos Masaaki Miyashita, presidents of the judo aikido and karatedo federations and senior officials watched the performance along with students.

“It is my great pleasure that the Embassy of Japan is hosting this martial arts demonstration here today. I would like to welcome all guests and thank them for coming to this event,” Mr Miyashita said.

Judo is a traditional Japanese martial art dating back to ancient times along with sumo wrestling. It is renowned for its solid manual movements, without the use of any protective gear or equipment. After the Second World War, it gained an international reputation and was practised by millions of people all over the world. For some time it was included in the Olympic Games.

Karatedo is believed to have its origins in Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan . Again, it doesn't involve the use of any instruments, but there is more emphasis on striking and kicking.

The birth of aikido is relatively recent, dating back to around the 1920s. This martial art is primarily used for self-defence, rather than for attack. It also attaches great importance to harmony between the body and the mind. These martial arts are not simply physical sports, but also emphasise the importance of discipline and self-control.

Some of the players who demonstrated their skills and expertise on Saturday had won SEA Games' medals.

“I am confident that many more of them will obtain medals in the coming SEA Games in Vientiane later this year,” Mr Miyashita said.

He said the Japanese government was continuously contributing to the development of martial arts in Laos by organising annual events and building the Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Vientiane .

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Lao judo and karatedo federations and the Lao Aikido Club for their valuable collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in organising today's event,” he added.

“It's particularly important to mark this event as part of the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009 programme. I hope you enjoy beautiful and powerful performances by Lao martial artists.”

The national judo team will compete at a judo competition to be held in Thailand on April 4. Teams will also take part in the first Asean Martial Arts competition to be held in Thailand at the end of April.

Judo events in the 25th SEA Games will include eight men's categories (55kg, 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg and over 100kg), while the eight women's categories are in the 45, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78 and over 78kg weight divisions.

Karatedo events will consist of male combatants in seven categories (55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg) and women fighters in four (48, 53, 60 and over 60kg).

At the 24th SEA Games held in Thailand last year, the Lao judo team won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, while the karatedo team won a bronze medal.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Lao Brewery Company (LBC) has made a decision to support US$1 million for the Lao PDR to be the host of the 25th SEA Games in 2009.

This is according to a signing ceremony among the LBC, Phethchampa Advertising Company, RSBs Companies on 22 August at Done Chan Palace Hotel.

The signing ceremony of the patronisation was witnessed by Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad and President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Dr. Phouthong Seng-akhom.
The LBC’s support will cover the 25th SEA Games activities becoming main sponsor of Laos and for the 25th SEA Games.

Laos has scheduled to be the host of the 25th SEA Games in 2009 but now it is a big challenge for the first time of the Laos, particularly the preparing plan which is quite poor in order to avoiding bad feedback from society in the nation and overseas.

The preparing plan should be made better than current situation, said an official concerned.

Laos has no experience to organise the big event like the SEA Games if this job’s output was good it would raise the reputation of the country to the international stage, an official of the Lao National Sports Committee continued.

At present, the Government has received constantly from private companies, international organisations and friendly countries for preparing the 2009 SEA Games.

Source: kpl

Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom answers questions at the press conference in Nakhon Ratchasima. – Photo Sisay

The popular sporting competition, the Southeast Asian Games, which will be hosted by Laos in 2009, will be run on time, according to the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and the President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom.

Reporters were surprised when Dr Phouthong told the media that Laos promised to host the next SEA Games in 2009 on time and without delay. But Laos will have to drop some events from the schedule of competition due to the inexperience of athletes and organisers at this level of competition.

Laos will only hold 25 events compared to the 43 at this year's SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima , Thailand . Many Olympic sports including cycling, basketball, gymnastics, hockey and weightlifting are likely to be dropped from the Games in 2009, but there will be no official decision until the time is closer.

The Lao 25 th SEA Games organising committee held a press conference in Nakhon Ratchasima on December 14, prior to the closing ceremony of this year's SEA Games and the official confirmation of the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane .

The press conference was attended by reporters from international media organisations and all were focused on the next SEA Games and Lao's preparations for 2009.

Dr Phouthong said, “The number of events for the 25 th SEA Games will be 25, but that is not too small when compared with Brunei in 1999, were there were just 23. I think it's really okay, because Laos is a small country too and it will be the first time for us as hosts,”

“At present we have Chinese and Vietnamese assistance in building a sports complex and training centre and other facilities to use for 2009. So, I can assure you that everything will be completed on time,” he said.

“However,during the countdown to the Games, we are not just working hard to prepare facilities for competition, the athlete's development is also equally important for us,” he added.

In this year's SEA Games Laos finished 8 th in the final medal tally out of the 11 nations competing, with 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals.

But the 2009 SEA Games will give Laos an improved ranking and medal count than in previous games.


By Sisay Vilaysack
vientianetimes