25th SEA Games, Laos

Popular hotels in central Vientiane are now ready to serve the best hospitality possible for guests attending the 25th SEA Games in December.


Ninety hotels are offering accommodation, including major hotels Don Chan Palace , Lao Plaza and Novotel, and are preparing themselves to make sure that guests will be happy with the standard of hospitality on offer during the greatest sports event ever held in Vientiane .

Vientiane Tourism Department Director, Mr Khampadith Khemmanith said more than 195 accommodation providers had been designated to host visiting officials during the games.

“The upcoming SEA Games has increased interest among those business in Vientiane to be involved in raising service standards for guests, and we really hope guests will happy with our hospitality,” he said.

“Only those that have the highest standards and quality of service are suitable for our VIP guests.”

Around 85 hotels will be set aside for the 2,000 media representatives expected to attend the games, and the remainder will be for general tourists.

“We will also prepare almost 180 guesthouses to accommodate visitors during the games,” Mr Khampadith said.

He added that the department usually organised a service standards and experience workshop for hospitality businesses so they know how to take care of guests and provide them with excellent service.

Lao Plaza Hotel Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager Thongphanh Thavisay thanked the government for trusting in the hotel's standards of service as they prepared to serve VIP guests from the region.

“We have a yearly budget to improve our hotel and we have improved many things here, now we are upgrading our restaurants and coffee shop and believe they will be complete by this October,” he said.

Don Chan Palace Hotel is one of three hotels which has been selected by the SEA Games organising committee to host the snooker competition, and expects 2,000 viewers for each game.

Hotel Director Beny Cheok said the hotel and convention centre would host the billiards and snooker events for this year's SEA Games, therefore conference facilities would also be being upgraded for officials and media.

“To compliment this special event, more than 20 extra pieces of fitness equipment have been imported from the US to cater for hotel patrons.”

“As this will be a hectic event, the hotel has specially opened Champa Kiosk, a convenience store, to cater to the needs of hotel guests after a tiring day.”

“The hotel rooms are being upgraded to provide delegates and participants with a more comfortable stay during this event,” Mr Beny said.

A representative of Novotel said the hotel aimed to raise the standard of food, security and other services.

Novotel Hotel Personal Relation Executive Aliya Panyaphon said the hotel cooperated with village security and district police forces to ensure security 24 hours per day.

They also continued to upgrade staff members' skills to ensure fine food and service for guests, both domestic and international.

“Every three months, we have a Novotel trainer from Thailand come to train our staff to ensure the standard and quality of services.”

“Some of them have trained in basic service with Vientiane Tourism Department, but most through the activities we are undertaking for the SEA Games.”

According to a Lao National Sports Committee paper printed yesterday, more than 5,100 people including 909 officials and 4,245 competitors from 10 countries in the region will attend the games. The committee is still awaiting the details regarding exact numbers of participants from Timor L'este.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Muay lao bronze medallist in the men's 54kg division at the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand , Somdy Douangmala is training in China for the next three months in the hope of representing Laos in the wushu event at this year's SEA Games.

Somdy hopes to join the national wushu team for the games after missing out on selection for the national muay lao team.

National selectors will use the training camp in China as a basis for choosing the national wushu squad to compete in the games later this year.

National muay lao trainer, Mr Somsa-nga Phimmachan said Somdy did not pass the muay lao selection rounds for this year's games.

Mr Somsa-nga said there are many talented young Lao kick-boxers ready to represent the country at the games.

A determined fighter, Somdy has shown his skill in the Vientiane Muay Lao Competition at the Sokxay and National Circus rings many times.

After representing the Ministry of National Defence at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, Somdy trained in wushu at a national camp in Anou village, Chanthabouly district.

Somdy had been training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village in Naxaithong district for the last four months before he departed for China last week.

Last week, the muay lao team won a gold, four silver and one bronze medal in the Asian Martial Arts competition in Bangkok in Thailand .

The Muay Lao Federation has many medallists from the national games lined up for the SEA Games.

The organisers of this year's SEA Games say they are expecting nearly 4,250 competitors, including over 1,800 females, from 10 countries.

There will also be over 700 officials in attendance, along with nearly 200 managers and support staff.

The Lao National Sports Committee is still waiting for Timor L'este to confirm how many athletes they will send to compete in the games.

The committee will enter 344 male and 303 female Lao athletes to compete on their home soil.

Thailand will send the largest contingent of athletes with over 540 males and 310 females. The SEA Games will consist of 25 sports - athletics, aquatics (water polo, diving, swimming), archery, badminton, billiard-snooker, boxing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karate-do, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, fin swimming, muay, pencak silat, petanque, and shuttle cock.


By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The 25th SEA Games being held this December will be the most important sporting event so far for Lao people to promote their country to the region

Representatives from several sporting, business and governmental organisations are involved in preparation work to welcome the games, which Laos will host from December 9-18.

Yesterday Vientiane Times reporters surveyed local people, business and government officials on their understanding about preparations for the games, and the results were enlightening.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and President of the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC), Dr Phouthong Seng Akhom said yesterday this was an opportunity for Laos, as the host nation, to increase solidarity and friendship amongst Southeast Asian nations.

“The meaning of medals is not as important as the solidarity and the country's promotion.

We have hopes for it. While regional athletes seem to be stronger because they are professionals, I am sure Lao athletes will try their best for the nation,” he explained.

Many businesses, and the games committee itself, are promoting the event through local media, but it seems this is still not enough because the information has yet to catch on for all community members.

A teenager, who did not want to be named, shared her ideas with the press. She posed an interesting question.

To her way of thinking, if so many Lao viewers tuned into neighbouring countries' TV and radio stations, would it be possible to promote the games through the local media?

“We just know some information about the SEA Games through local radio, we listen at night when there is not so much news about the event,” she explained.

A student at Vientiane Secondary School, Ms Nilanda Lathsavong said if women took more care to wear a sinh (Lao skirt) when they go to religious ceremonies, offices or even shopping during SEA Games, this could teach tourists more about Lao tradition and culture.

“Smiling and greeting tourists with a “Sa Bai Dee” is very important to show we are friendly and the most important thing is that people should be enthusiastic about working for the nation and society in general, and take part in community activities,” Ms Nilanda said.

“Concerned authorities should provide information to residents to encourage them to cooperate with state and private organisations to make Vientiane charming and attractive.”

Many hope that Lao people will pay attention to being good hosts of the games.

Owner of Wasira Junction Beer Garden , Mr Wasira Chanthavongxai said as he was a proud Lao person, he usually followed Lao sports.

However, Laos sportspeople's amateur status put them at a disadvantage to professionals from other countries in this region.

However, all Lao people being of one heart would be sure to cheer them during the games, which would help a lot. “We're just proud to be the host, so don't think too much about victory.”

“Even if they win or lose, they will still have all Lao people and the government at their back, encouraging them through the games. I think this will be a good feeling for them,” he said.

Many Lao people are ready and eager to involve themselves in preparations in for the games.

With this in mind, spreading the information could bring many useful ideas for the committees or involved sectors as they seek to promote this unique opportunity.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

The Lao men's volleyball team will train in China for one month in the lead-up to the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane later this year.

The team will commence their training camp in August or October.

The team's leader, Mr Khampheng Mitpaxa said the team will use the training camp to improve their techniques and tactics.

Mr Khampheng said the Lao Volleyball Federation will organise an international tournament in Vientiane in the lead-up to the games.

He said the federation is struggling with funding to organise both the tournament and the volleyball event during the SEA Games.

The Lao volleyball teams lack experience at the international level and will struggle to get past the first round of the event at the games, he said.

The male and female national volleyball teams are currently training hard at indoor courts in Nongtha village under the guidance of Chinese coach Mr Yin Ming.

The teams will soon commence training at the indoor stadium in Xaythany district two days per week after the Lao National Sports Committee finished its final inspections of the stadium recently.

The teams will use the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the stadium which will host the volleyball event during the games.

The federation plans to send both teams to train in Vietnam after the men's team return from China and will select two teams of twelve apiece to compete in the SEA Games.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The Lao judo squad's chances of success at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December received a boost after they won three gold medals in the East Asia Judo Championship 2009 at Lao-ITECC last week.

The sixteen member squad claimed second place at the tournament after winning three gold, two silver and 18 bronze medals.

Judo fighters from Indonesia , Myanmar , Singapore , Thailand , Vietnam , Malaysia and Laos competed in the championships which were held over two days, August 6-7.

Ms Mayouly Phanouvong won a gold medal in the 45kg category, while Ms Phonevanh Si-amphone won a silver medal in the women's 48kg category.

The two later combined to win a gold medal in the women's pair event.

Ms Mayouly and Ms Phonevanh claimed gold in the event at the last SEA Games in 2007 and are confident of retaining their title later this year.

Ms Phonevanh said she was overcome by the power of her Vietnamese opponent in her gold medal bout at the championships.

She said the Vietnamese fighters will pose a strong threat to the Lao team at the games later this year.

President of the Lao Judo Federation, Mr Khemsath Philaphandeth said the championships were a great success and provided all athletes in the region an opportunity to gain some match practice before the SEA Games commence.

Mr Khemsath thanked the competition organising committee and the athletes who attended the event. He expressed his hope that many will return to compete at the games.

The federation will add athletes to compete in the judo dancing style event to the SEA Games squad.



Results of the East Asia Judo Championship 2009:



Country Gold Silver Bronze



Vietnam 11 4 1

Laos 3 2 18

Myanmar 2 4 2

Thailand 0 3 4

Indonesia 0 2 2

Singapore 0 1 2

Some bronze medals were awarded to third and fourth placer getters.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Media is set to benefit with Lao National Television (LNTV) to provide an information centre during the 25th SEA Games to be held in Vientiane this December.

LNTV Director, Dr Bounchom Vongphet reported the International Broadcasting Centre would be set up at Km 5 Chommany village, Xaithany district, Vientiane .

“The centre will provide information and broadcasts to viewers including the opening and closing ceremonies as well as live broadcasts of many popular sports during the games.

“Foreign and local journalists can get all the necessary information at the centre,” he explained.

LNTV plans to broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as 17 of the 25 sports.

“We will choose the most popular sports to broadcast on channels 1 and 3. We will cooperate with Lao Star Channel to broadcast 10 hours per day, but Lao Star Channel will take only two hours per day,” Dr Bounchom said.

“We also plan to report results through both national television stations early in each hour.”

LNTV officials have organised four training courses for cameramen and producers to ensure the best quality broadcasting possible.

Meanwhile they are continuing to train their staff to cover the biggest ever sporting event to come to Laos .

“We will have 11 news teams to report on all the daily competition from the stadiums through fibre-optic and microwave links to the centre.

“Now, many staff still need to improve their skills before the games,” he said.

He added that Laos would be the first country to sell SEA Games live-broadcasting rights to other television stations in various countries in the region.

“We can say that because the SEA games committees meeting in Vientiane agreed to sell the rights.

“This October, there will be many TV companies from neighbouring countries and we will have to have agreements for live broadcasting.

“The committee has agreed that a newly established company must identify the price of broadcasting rights,” Dr Bounchom explained.

He said broadcasters would require 17 outside broadcasting ( OB ) vans for the games.

“Now we have only four OB van in Laos , so we will rent 10 OB vans from Thailand , two from Vietnam and one from Singapore .”

Meanwhile, Lao National Radio (LNR) is also busy preparing staff to report on the games.

LNR Director-General Sipha Nonglath said the organisation would follow similar broadcasting strategies to those of LNTV.

“What is different is training officials on how to cover sports events for radio, as well as how to improve sports reporting through the radio to make it more interesting for listeners,” he said.

He said online reports in Lao, English, French and Hmong languages would ensure people around the world stay up dated during the games.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

(KPL) Some night pubs or entertainment places throughout Vientiane Capital might be ordered to close their operation temporarily during the 25th SEA Games, after having entertainment places found as guilty.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Security told KPL news that it would prepare a plan to join a co-operation with Vientiane Capital Information and Culture Office in inspecting the entertainment places, which have been seen as seriously social impact.

It pointed out that now many young people including students who have only 13-18 age, were seen in society they were being persuaded by many unsuitable things especially some entertainment places, which infringed regulations and principle.

Mr Sengpheth Phommaly, Deputy Head of Vientiane Capital Security Office disclosed yesterday that police officers have prepared their plan in order to cope with SEA Games by inspecting the entertainment places and cracking down the criminal gang throughout Vientiane Capital.

Now police officers suspected that having many entertainment places in Vientiane were accused of violating regulations, which involved with allowing many lower-age students to night pub and opening over times.

?Some entertainment places might be risky of enticing the young people step into necrotic drug easier if we no have any regulations for controlling them? said Mr Sengpheth.

He said that many ten places across the Vientiane Capital would be ordered to close their operation temporarily when police officers found many shortfall and guilty. As a group of business people who operate their business on entertainment they opened green light for young people aged lower than 18 year-old going to night pub.
He added that now the criminal and thief issues have been increased continuously, almost of cases are involved with young people.

The Lao male and female beach volleyball teams are confident of reaching the semi-finals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.

The teams are currently training at a facility in Nongtha village in Chanthabouly district.

The teams previously trained on Done Chan beach and are now under the instruction of Chinese and Lao trainers.

One trainer, Mr Inthaphone Chengsavang said there is only one field for training, which means the female team trains between 8 and 10am and again from 2 to 4pm, while the male team trains from 6 to 8am and 4 to 6pm.

The teams hope to train at the facility to be used during the games in the coming months.

Mr Inthaphone said the Lao teams will face strong opposition from the Indonesian and Thai teams, who are amongst the best in the region.

The Lao teams will seek to gain international experience in the lead-up to the games.

The Lao Volleyball Federation will host a regional beach volleyball tournament before the games commence.

The women's team consists of players selected from the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defence teams. The team is Phonthava Phetsalath, Thammasin Phongsavath, Nanthaxay Latmany and Somboun Sidavong.

The men's squad is made up of players from the Vientiane and Ministry of National Defence teams. The team is Chan-aloun Vongxaya, Pany Chanthavong, Phimphone Bualapha and Vongphachan Xayamoungkhoun.

Laos has never won a medal in beach volleyball at the SEA Games level.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Mr Khamparn Douangpaseurt, a former champion cyclist and popular folk song singer, is now turning his talents to become a champion shooter of the air rifle as a member of the Laos team with high hopes of winning a medal during the SEA Games in Laos later this year.

Mr Khamparn, or Parn as he is better known to his friends, will be one of three national shooters of the air rifle (long rifle) to compete at this year's games from December 9 to 18. It is his first time in the national team for shooting and it is also the first time Laos has sent an air rifle team to compete in the games.

Mr Parn told the Vientiane Times yesterday that he has been fortunate because he has been successful in the things he has set out to do. When he was younger, some ten years ago, he had many successes in cycling and used to be a famous cyclist in the junior category. He received a gold medal in the national games in Khammuan province.

“My life seems to go in stages and any new direction happens according to the way I feel,” he said. Listening to him talk it is clear that he puts all his energy and enthusiasm into each of these stages in his life.

In 1994, after becoming a champion cyclist, he began learning to play the guitar and sing folk songs. Within two years, he was performing folk songs on stage at the Sara beer shop (near Thongkhankham market in Vientiane ). Then he entered his first competition for folk songs winning third place.

After that the shop asked him to play and sing more regularly. Over time he was asked by many shops and bars to perform. In 1996-1997, he made an album for the first time. It was called douangdao douangchai (Star and Heart). This first album became quite famous but he only continued to perform for another 12 months before he turned his attention to other things

Three years later in 2000, he was asked to join Lao Art Media where he laid down a second album called Thang haeng khouam fan (Road of Dreams). In this album he needed a female singer

Many auditions were held for female singers to sing with him, then eventually Miss Thidavanh Bounxouei or Alexandra was chosen. She has since gone on to become a Lao pop superstar singer.

Alexandra and Parn became popular with their song kha lom hack kha lom luang (Only sweet talking but never fall in love), which was a very popular song at that time.

That song, kha lom hack kha lom luang, was to be the climax of his career as a singer.

After two more years, he went to work with an international organisation to help campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness through his guitar playing and singing. He worked with this organisation from 2003 until 2007.

Mr Parn said before his success as a singer, he also used to occasionally practice target shooting with a hand gun.

In 2007, he went back to target shooting and in 2008 it was a busy time with Champassak province due to host the National Games.

“My life took a new direction again, when I started shooting with a hand gun. I tried hard and hoped to join the national games in Champassak,” he said with a strong voice. At that time he trained with his friends at the Vientiane shooting field and sometimes at the police field. He discovered when he tried the rifle that he was much better. During this time he entered many regional competitions but did not win any medals.

Despite this, through his diligent efforts training with the air rifle, he was selected to join the Champassak Games in 2008, as a representative from the Ministry of Planning and Investment. He won three silver medals at the games.

After his success at the Champassak Games, he was selected to join the national air rifle shooting team in May this year by the Lao Shooting Federation and will compete at the 25th SEA Games. He has been training at the Vientiane Shooting Field from June until now.

Mr Parn said that his average score was 560. The air rifle shooting event has a maximum score of 600 with 60 bullets from a distance of l0m.

A shooting trainer Mr Xayya Sisane said “It is the first time for us to send an air rifle (long rifle) team to compete in the SEA Games, so we selected only three shooters and one shooter for the substitute.”

He said Mr Parn was a talented shooter in the team. Mr Parn said he goes to the field to train five to six hours every day.

“Shooting is very different from singing or playing guitar because singing is entertainment and is full of commotion. While, shooting needs calm, concentration, focus, dedication and patience, and especially a love of shooting,” Mr Parn said.

He hoped, based on his statistics to win some medals for Laos . If he doesn't win anything because of lack of experience it would still be a good starting point to gain more experience.

Through the changing stages of his life, he does not know what will come next after shooting.

He also said, he has been invited to join other singers to sing in the opening ceremony at the games.

By Panyasith Thammavongsa
Vientianetimes

Patuxay Monument is expected to be one of the most popular attractions for visitors during the SEA Games. It is the most important symbol of Laos nationhood in Vientiane .

The monument stands proudly and prominently at the end of the grand Lang Xang Avenue . It is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but it is uniquely decorated with Lao friezes from Buddhist mythology.

A park around its base is popular with Vientiane residents where they can walk and exercise in the cooler evening air.

Inside there are stairs up to a viewing gallery which visitors can climb to take in the panoramic view over the city.

Visitors are also able to buy Lao products from more than twenty souvenir shops selling Lao handicrafts, including silk clothes, jewellery, Buddha statues, and much more.

One shop owner, Ms Phetsamone Thammavong said there were many visitors, especially foreigners, who visit Patuxay and buy souvenirs, which makes the vendors full of smiles.

“Postcards with pictures of the main cultural sites are very popular with tourists,” she said. Her shop also sells some SEA Games souvenirs such as key rings. “Many visitors are asking for SEA Games souvenirs such as shirts and maps but they are not released to the market yet,” she said.

Ms Phetsamone plans to improve her English language speaking in order to better communicate with visitors.

By Phetsamone Chandara
Vientiantimes

Young female Hmong students at Phonesavanh Secondary School are training hard in the hope of representing Laos in the weightlifting event at the SEA Games in Vientiane this December.

The students continue to improve under the guidance of a Thai coach.

Laos ' best weightlifter in the female 69kg division is 21-year-old Ms Bao Vang.

She is working hard to improve on her personal best weight of 75kg in the hope of representing her nation at the games.

She only began weightlifting six months ago and trains every day. She is currently in sixth class at Phonesavanh Secondary School .

Ms Bao does not expect to win a medal at the games because she has no experience at the international level.

She said the Thai team has very good weightlifters and expects they will dominate the event at the games.

She became interested in weightlifting after watching her friends at school training with a coach provided by the Lao Weight Lifting Federation.

Ms Bao is also a skilled football player. She was born in Veunkhaen village in Pakngum district, Vientiane and received scholarship to study at Phonesavanh Secondary School .

Another talented young female weightlifter is Ms Mailor Lorvangdua, who is in fifth class at Phonesavanh Secondary School .

Ms Mailor currently competes in the 52kg category but is aiming to move up to the 58kg division before the games.

She said weightlifting is a relatively new sport in Laos and is not very popular because people believe it is dangerous.

Ms Mailor is 16 years old and comes from Sibounheuang village in Thathom district in Xieng Khuang province. She said she will be very happy if she is selected to join the national team for the games.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Young Lao female petanque players from many provinces are currently training hard in Vientiane in the hope of catching the eye of national selectors in the lead-up to the 25th SEA Games in December.

While fourteen female players are currently training at the University National of Laos, only 10 players will be selected to represent Laos at the games.

At the tender age of 15, Ms Manyvanh Souriya is the second ranked female petanque player in Laos .

Ms Manyvanh competed in the women's team (four players) event at the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.

She said although she did not win a medal at the games she gained valuable experience.

She said she will be very proud if she is selected to represent Laos again when the nation hosts the event.

Ms Manyvanh's favourite event is the mixed doubles; however she is no certainty to be selected for the event because Lao selectors will choose the players best suited to each event.

She said the Vietnamese, Thai and Cambodian teams are amongst the best in the petanque event.

Ms Manyvanh is in fourth class at secondary school in Saphanxay village, Pakxe district, Champassak province.

She won a bronze medal in the women's doubles at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, where she represented Champassak.

Next month, she will join other national players to compete in a friendly petanque competition in Vietnam .

Ms Manyvanh has two older sisters, two older brothers and a younger sister, all of whom live in Saphanxay village in Pakxe district. Her father, Mr Dangvansoy, works at a sawmill and her mother, Mrs Lethiheuang, is a merchant.

She began playing petanque when she was 11 year old at a field next to her house. She played with her friends everyday after school.

Ms Manyvanh said her family supports her sporting endeavours, especially as petanque is not dangerous or physically taxing.

She and her fellow team-mates train from 8am to 11am and from 3pm to 6pm every day. The squad stays at accommodation at the university.

Ms Manyvanh said she is hopeful of representing Laos at international level tournaments into the future.

At the last SEA Games, Laos won gold medals in the men's and women's shooting events and bronze medals in the men's and women's singles, men's doubles and team, and mixed doubles categories.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Lao National Taekwondo Federation sent seven taekwondo fighters for a three-month training stint in the Republic of Korea to prepare them for the coming competition in the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December 2009.

The federation held a farewell ceremony for its athletes on 29 July and this event was attended by the President of Lao National Taekwondo Federation, Mr Vilay Douangmany.

Mr Vilay, who delivered the farewell speech, advised the sportsmen to train hard, to dutifully obey their instructors and to learn new techniques.

During their training, Lao fighters would be competing in the Korean Taekwondo Open and other competitions in Korea and such experiences would further condition them to reach their peak.

Three of the Lao fighters would be participating in the World Taekwondo Championship in Denmark and after that they will become back to Laos and continue to train in the National Training Centre in Sikeuth, Vientiane.

In order to give the best training the federation recruited Jin Jung Woo, a South Korean and a world class trainer in this sport to train the Lao team. He won the world taekwando championship title in 1996 and he trained the Lao team in 2003.

(KPL) Some members of the Lao Jewelry Association and other local businessmen voiced their unhappiness that they were not given equal opportunity to buy any of the sponsorship copyright of the 25th SEA Games? as they were priced at skyhigh levels.
Lao Jewelry Association said that they felt very upbeat and optimistic when they first heard that Laos would be hosting this regional sporting event and added that the business people who dealt with handicraft, souvenir, textile industry and jewelry dreamt they would be able to use their skills and creativity to design special products for the SEA Games meet in
December.

This association argued that they could acquire the coveted copyright only if they are reasonably priced and on its acquisition it would set off the ripple effect of creating jobs and income for the low income Lao people.

Mr Phouvong Khamisith, President of Lao Jewelry Association told KPL News last week that his body is not a large organization and could not afford to buy a SEA Games copyright which costs US$10,000 but what they are after is just the 25th SEA Games logo for labelling their goods.

?If we buy the copyright we might make a loss as the expenditure on the purchase is higher than the capital of our products,?? said Mr Phouvong Khamisith.
Commenting on this issue, the Lao traders in Vientiane Capital said that almost all the goods for the 25th SEA Games might be manufactured in foreign countries, especially Thailand and Vietnam and they would be sent to Laos for sale during the SEA Games period.

They added that this is only a scenario but it is most likely to unfold in the days to come but what is clearly discernible is that the Lao people are not deriving any benefit and they are the losers.

Lao traders argued that they should be given discounts as the event would be held in Laos and their design and craftsmanship would surprise the SEA Games visitors and also raise the image of the country.

Phetchampa Company is a joint venture company which got the green light from the government to operate its business on advertisement during SEA Games. Currently, some local companies, such as Lao Brewery and others had already bought copyrights from Phetchampa Company.

(KPL) The Lao National Badminton Federation organised the ?Lao International Challenge 2009?, which a competition was officially opened on 28 July till 1 August, at the new National Stadium in Saythany district at the KM 16.

This competition was joined by 111 competitors from eight countries including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos.

The Championship consisted with five categories of individual events such as Men?s Singles -Main Draw ? 64, Women?s Singles-Main Draw ? 32, Men?s Doubles-Main Draw ? 32, Women?s Doubles-Main Draw ? 32 and Mixed Doubles-Main Draw ? 32.

The five categories will be played by knock-out system using rally point scoring system in accordance to Badminton World Federation level 4 rules and regulations.
The main target of the competition was aimed to test the skills and techniques of the Lao national team and referees preparing for the 25th SEA Games 2009 in Vientiane, and the federation has sent all badminton players to join this event for learning a new lesson and techniques with experienced players in the region level especially learning from women players from Japan.

The result for the Quarter final is as follow:
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1218852

Nobody can predict how many gold medals Lao athletes will win at this year's SEA Games on their home soil, but in the minds of supporters seeing Laos finish atop the medal tally would be a dream come true.

Laos has never topped the medal table at a SEA Games. However, Lao athletes have improved dramatically through tough national training camps and several big international contests over the last year.

Despite the improvements, finishing at the top of the medal tally will be a tough ask.

The games are a biennial sports competition for Southeast Asian nations which started in 1959 with the objectives of strengthening friendship, solidarity and understanding between countries in the region. The name of the event was changed from the SEAP Games into the SEA Games in 1977.

Laos did not attend the games from 1975 until 1989 when more than 20 Lao athletes competed in five events and a silver medal was won by the nation in boxing.

Two years later, Lao athletes attended the 16th SEA Games in Manila , the Philippines , but failed to win a medal.

At the 1993 games in Singapore , 41 Lao athletes competed in seven sports events and again a silver medal was won in boxing.

In 1995 the games were held in nearby Chiang Mai , Thailand , and Laos sent 104 athletes to compete in 11 sports events. The Lao team won a silver medal in traditional boat racing, a bronze in boxing and taekwondo and two bronze medals in athletics.

Two years later, Lao athletes flew to Jakarta , Indonesia for the 19th SEA Games where they won bronze medals in wushu, boxing, pancak silat and canoeing.

In Brunei Darussalam in 1999, Laos won its first ever SEA Games gold medal in men's taekwondo and added three bronze medals in boxing, athletics and women's taekwondo.

Lao athletes again won gold at the 21st SEA Games in Malaysia in 2001, this time in petanque, as well as a silver in boxing and bronze medals in wushu, judo and taekwondo.

In 2003 in Vietnam , Laos again won gold in petanque, as well as five silvers in petanque, boxing, shuttlecock and taekwondo. Lao athletes won 15 bronze medals in judo, boxing, shuttlecock, taekwondo, handball, wushu, wrestling, shooting and fin swimming.

In the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines , Laos ' final tally included 3 gold, 4 silver and 12 bronze medals. Two of the gold medals came from the petanque event, while the third was won in the muay event (kick boxing).

The best ever haul by Lao athletes came at the last SEA Games in 2007 in Thailand . The team took home 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals.

By Times Reporters

(KPL) The 25th pre-SEA Games regional badminton tournament, named the ?2009 Laos International Challenge ?, will take place from July 28 ? August 1 in the Laos capital of Vientiane.

The tournaments organisers are expecting 111 athletes from Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to take part, said the Laos National Sports Committee.

The players will compete in the men and women?s singles and doubles and the mixed doubles to be selected for the 25th SEA Games which will be held in Laos at the end of this year.

(KPL) Vientiane Capital will become a smoking free area city by upcoming month.

The move is under the preparation which expects to be announced early this August, Vice Vientiane Mayor said.

The meeting on preparation for Vientiane to be the smoking free area city took place on 24 July under the chairmanship of Vice Vientiane Mayor, Mr Somvandy Nathavong who responsible for controlling the establishment of non-smoking area in Vientiane Capital.

Participants have discussed the way for cooperating in implementation of smoking free area in Vientiane Capital so as to welcome the upcoming 25th SEA Games and celebration of 450th anniversary of Vientiane Capital.

An official announcement to set up Vientiane Capital as a smoking free town is expected to be effect in August or September.

?Smokers allow smoking in the specific areas and can not smoke inside public places including offices, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, relevant agencies and other organization,? he said.

The movement would be maintenance of Vientiane residents? health and the environmental protection and pollution reduction in the Vientiane.
Luang Prabang and Champassak provinces have already been become as smoking free areas.

Experienced golf coaches from the Republic of Korea are improving 10 Lao golfers' techniques in the hope they will pick up medals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.

Mr Kim Mun Su and his assistant, Mr Kim Mun Kyu have been training six male and four female golfers since March this year.

Lao golfers are practicing on various courses including the Km14 golf course, Km6 golf course, and Daensavanh course in Vientiane as well as courses in Savannakhet and Champassak provinces and those in the neighbouring countries of Vietnam and Thailand .

Chairman of the Lao Golf Federation, Mr Sounthone Sirisack said the federation is trying to give the golfers as much experience as possible on different courses.

The federation will cooperate with the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation to hold an international level pre-SEA Games tournament in October and November.

The Lao golfers will have an opportunity to train at the Km18 course when it is finally constructed.

The pre-games tournament will test the golfers' skills and allow the federation to select a final squad of four males and three females to compete at the games.

He said to be selected to represent Laos , golfers must not only posses the necessary skills but also have good behaviour and the right attitude.

Mr Sounthone said it would be difficult for Laos to win a gold medal in golf at the games but the event will provide an excellent opportunity for the young team to gain international experience.

The current squad ranges in age from 16 to 28 years old. They are currently situated in Vientiane where they are training twice daily.

He said the federation is looking to build the stocks of talented young golfers for success at international events in the future.

He said the Lao golfing scene is growing steadily and many young people are interested in the game.

In the lead-up to the games, the federation will hold training courses for 30 technical officials and 70 caddies who will participate in the games.

The golf event at the games will comprise of men's and women's singles and teams events.

The Lao team was unsuccessful in the golf event of the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Photo: Badminton courts to be used this week during the Lao International Challenge in Vientiane.

Various 25th SEA Games organising committees will test the standard of stadiums to be used at the games this December by arranging a number of competitions in the lead-up to the event.

President of the Lao National Sports Committee and Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Phouthong Seng Akhom said yesterday that all competition stadiums and facilities would be tested before the games.

The first body to test its readiness for the games will be the Lao Badminton Federation, which will host the Lao International Challenge 2009 in Vientiane from July 28 to August 1. Other sports will hold similar competitions to test their respective facilities in the months to come.

The 20,000-seat stadium in Dongsanghin village, Xaythany district, to be used for the opening and closing ceremonies, is almost complete, with just minor touches still being added.

“All sports fields and stadiums will be tested before September, if any issues arise they will be resolved before the facilities are handed over to the relevant organising committees in September,” Dr Phouthong said.

The shooting field for the games is still under construction due to a delay in the delivery of equipment.

“The government agreed to import international standard equipment for the arena from Germany . There has been a delay in delivery but we are expecting the equipment any day now,” Dr Phouthong said.

Other indoor and outdoor courts at Chao-anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district, the International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Beungkhayong stadium and facilities at the National University of Laos are also close to completion and are waiting to be fitted out with sports equipment.

The 25th SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane, involving 390 events in 25 sports including 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