The theme song of the 25th SEA Games, entitled "The spirit of the flame" was finally unveiled in Laos last week.
Famous Lao singer Sam Intharaphitha, was chosen to present this song for the opening of 25th SEA Games. The song "The Spirit of The Flame" has made it into the final 15 songs out of more than 50 entries. The 15 songs will be released as a special SEA Games album. But only 1 song will be chosen to open the historical event for Laos.
To listen to the song: "The Spirit of The Flame" click at the link HERE
The lyric of this song has a mix between Lao and English version. The first part is in Lao, and the second part is in English.
The lyric of this song in an English part is as follow:
The spirit of the flame:
When the dawn awakes the morning sky The charm of sunshine would beam the new day All our lives begin to bloom With power of our faith
Our dreams are great as the mountains wide Our hearts fulfilled with glory and pride Millions will cherish within their hearts to host the Laos SEA Games
Let's get ready, prepare our hearts so forth we are united Let's join our hearts and hands together Today Laos will be as one
No matter what we'll never turn away With hand in hand we'll walk side by side With our hopes we stand together With all our hearts cheer for Laos number #1
No matter what challenge we will not fear Cause we will always stand side by side Win or lose it doesn't matter Today Laos will be as one Today will be Laos' day *****************************************************
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.
The Democratic People's Republic (D.P.R.) of Korea have booked their place in the semi-finals of the football competition with a last gasp goal to beat Lao People's Democratic Republic (P.D.R.) 4-2.
It was a scene right out of the movie scripts. Ironically, as "Game of Their Lives", a movie featuring the D.P.R. of Korea football team's fairytale run in the 1966 World Cup, was premiering in Singapore, one featuring their Under-14 side in the 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 was also taking place at Temasek Polytechnic.
Group B's final match between D.P.R. of Korea and Lao P.D.R. was not for the faint hearted, as the lead changed hands three times throughout the match. Even then, it was the injury time goal that saw D.P.R. of Korea oust Saudi Arabia to take second spot in Group B. (refer to group table below)
D.P.R. of Korea needed to make up the difference of three points and the goal difference of six goals to overtake Saudi Arabia for second spot in Group B.
They seemed well on the way to fulfilling the goal tally needed in on 17 minutes when Jo Sol Song poked home a Ro Kwang Yong freekick that crashed off the crossbar.
But the Laotian boys were up for the game and struck back three minutes later. Striker Lembo Saysana intercepted a clearance and made a penetrating run past the Korean defence. Clear on goal, he sent in a low driving shot that left Korean goalkeeper Kwon Kum Chol with no chance.
Emboldened by the equalizer, Lao P.D.R. went in search of another goal. Keomoukda Sisanon stood over a freekick right outside the D.P.R. of Korea penalty box and curled in a powerful shot to give his side a surprise 2-1 lead.
It looked as if it was not meant to be for D.P.R. of Korea. Right after the restart, Ro Kwang Yong managed to find Laotian goalkeeper Soukthavy Soundala one-on-one, but his shot struck the left goalpost. Strike partner Jo Kwang Mong was first to the rebound but his shot bounced off the other goalpost.
Jo Jol Song came through for his side yet again in the 45th minute. He chased down a high through ball behind the Laotian defense and passed the ball across onrushing goalkeeper Soukthavy Soundala to team mate Ri Jong Hyok. Ri made no mistake from point blank range to equalise for D.P.R. of Korea.
The Korean side could smell the winning goal coming and increased the pressure on Lao P.D.R.'s defence. Ri Jong Hyok managed to infiltrate the Laotian defence to give his side the lead with a goal similar to Lao P.D.R.'s first.
News filtered through in the 70th minute that the Republic of Korea was leading 5-0, meaning that D.P.R. of Korea needed just one more goal to go through, and the crowd began to urge the Korean boys on.
It was all-out attack for D.P.R. of Korea, but Lao P.D.R.'s substitute goalkeeper Southakone Thammada was on hand to stop several point blank shots.
In the second minute of stoppage time, it looked as if it was a case of 'so near, yet so far' for the Koreans, but enter Jo Jol Song. Ro Kwang Yong's powerful shot was saved by Southakone Thammada, and Jo was quickest to the parried ball, smashing home a dramatic goal to bag his second of the day, and give his side the required two-goal lead.
Alex Tran, manager of the Lao P.D.R. team, was happy for his boys: "I told them to go play their game today. They were too concerned about the opponents' size before. I told them to just enjoy themselves, the result doesn't matter, and they did play well."
Top goal scorer for the Laotian side Lembo Saysana was happy despite not making it to the semi-finals: "I am very happy; it is my first experience in such a big tournament. It has been a memorable time in Singapore. I wish I don't need to go back, but I have to."
D.P.R. of Korea coach was glad to qualify for the next stage. He said: "We were pressured coming into this game. We knew we had to make six goals and win to at least have a chance. The boys were not told the result of the other match, they were told to just give their best, and luckily for us, we made it through."
He added: "I don't think we played our best today, they (Lao P.D.R.) scored two goals against us. We must improve on that when we play in the semi-finals."
D.P.R. of Korea hero Jo Jol Song said happily: " I am happy for the goal, and more because it is important to the team, who worked hard in this tournament."
GROUP B Country P W D L F A GD PTS Republic of Korea 3 3 0 0 16 1 15 9 D.P.R. of Korea 3 1 1 1 6 7 -1 4 Saudi Arabia 3 1 1 1 6 8 -2 4 Lao P.D.R. 3 0 0 3 4 16 -12 0
New Lao Hip hop song for the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos 2009, which is called "Go Laos Go" sung by Sam Intharaphithak, Nalin Daravong, and Kave. Enjoy the music !!!
The most famous, brightest and talented artists at present in Laos come together to sing the 25th SEA Games theme song. They are Sithiphone, Sam, Gai, Malya and Poui. The English version is called SEA Games Harmony and Lao version is Samakee SEA Games. Lyric and Rhythm by: Saysavath Singnamvong.
SEA GAMES HARMONY Lyric and Rhythm by: Saysavath Singnamvong Music arrangement by: (Mee) Soulinthone Kounsathone English Arrangement by: Sithiphone Souvannasouk, Sam, Andy Performance by: Sithiphone Souvannasouk
Malya: Hand in hand together we’re strong A brighter day has come along
Gai & Poui: To celebrate with all nations Step forward, United in SEA Games
Sith: Together we’ll build our athletes Forever our friendship in games
Sam: Competed a game with heart and soul Go forward, United in SEA Games
Group: SEA Games is what brings us together Hand in hand, walk the same path in peace SEA Games is a great competition Tight the knot comes together for SEA GAMES
Group: Hand in hand together we’re strong A brighter day has come along To celebrate with all nations Step forward, United in SEA Games
Na ……Na………Na………Na………Na………Na……
Group: Harmony, friendships in SEA Games Compete in spirit and fair play Light up the SEA Games torch Eternal flame
Under the blue sky, It is time the sun shines all over the sky. Lao people, let's get together our 6 million hearts, to host the SEA Games
Let's come together, hands in hands, and go together to develop our sports Let's come together, no matter where we are, show our spirits and sincerity Vientiane games, (Vientiane games, Vientiane games, Vientiane games, hey...)
We are coming from different places, countries and having different languages Today we come here as the spirit of sportsmanship, To build up our friendship and relationship at the Vientiane capital
We have dedicated a lot of our time just for today, Our hope is to be number #1 But more than anything else, is our friendship.
Generosity, Amity and Healthy Lifestyle Vientiane games heyyyy!!!
To listen to this Lao song, check out the clip below.
Spectators around the country have been impressed by the high standard of Lao martial arts fighters and proud of the medals they won have at the SEA Games so far.
Martial arts disciplines being contested at this year's games comprise taekwondo, wushu, judo, muay, boxing, karatedo, wrestling, and pencak silat.
Competing athletes reached a high standard of physical fitness ahead of the games, with many training in camps in neighbouring countries. They also reached higher standards in recent international competitions than in the past.
At the Lao-ITECC indoor stadium on Sunday, the Lao wushu team won two gold medals in the men's and women's doubles in duilian (pair) events.
Soudaphone Chanlapheng, 14, and Ketsuda Vongphakdy, 19, were both gold medalists in the women's duilian event, while Anousone Sasabo, 20, and Bountang Song, 18, won gold in the men's duilian event.
This has been the most successful start ever for the Lao wushu team.
Wushu competitions are taking place at the Lao-ITECC indoor stadium from December 13 to 17.
Taekwondo featured earlier in the games from December 10-12, with the Lao team taking three gold medals.
The Lao team has never won any medals at international level in the dancing style but at this year's games they have the home team advantage and are also much better prepared.
At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007 they won a gold and two bronze medals in the fighting style.
Tao lu events at the 25th SEA Games include changquan (long fist), nanquan (southern fist), taijiquan (shadow boxing), daoshu (broadsword), jiashu (sword), nandao (southern broadsword), jianjijian (taiji sword), qiangshu (spear), gunshu (cudgel), nangun (south-style cudgel), duilian (pair events) with and without weapons and jiti (group or team events).
Lao gold medallist in the men's 54kg flyweight division Phoutthavong Outhasak found it easy to beat his Cambodian opponent Chhoy Bouthorn 13-1 in the final at Booyong Gymnasium last Saturday.
Phoutthavong beat his Thai opponent Pen-ek Karaket 5-4 before going on to beat the Cambodian fighter.
Phoutthavong had earlier won a silver medal in the men's 58kg division in Thailand 's 24th SEA Games.
Still to come are the boxing, wrestling, muay, and judo events, which will be held at the Lao-Japan Budo Centre from December 15-17.
The theme song of the 25th SEA Games, entitled "The spirit of the flame" was finally unveiled in Laos last week.
