The Lao National Sports Committee will renovate the national football stadium in Vientiane between April and July in preparation for use during the 25 th SEA Games next year.
The Lao Football Federation will hold the Group A football matches here as well as track and field events. It will increase the seating to accommodate about 10,000 spectators.
The federation is organising various annual football events, but they will take place in the football stadium at the National University of Laos and the federation's field.
The federation manages the football stadium, which is currently in poor condition and dirty due to the behaviour of some spectators and the untidy surroundings.
Spectators are in the habit of throwing litter on the ground after eating fruit and snacks; consequently the grounds are not fit for international use.
The committee renovated the stadium in 2000 for the 6 th National Games. It was built in the 1930s, and has been the capital's major venue for football and other matches.
National athletics teams, sports officials and local residents jog on a synthetic track there in the evenings.
The federation's organising committee will introduce more protective measures after the renovation of the stadium next year. Some athletes and the federation's referees still use rooms there on a regular basis.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
