Vietnam, host of the 22nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games five years ago, is committed to helping its neighbor Laos in hosting the 2009 SEA Games.
The pledge was mentioned at Tuesday’s signing ceremony in Hanoi on mutual sports cooperation between sports leaders of the two countries.
Under the cooperation program, Vietnam will train Lao coaches and athletes, provide equipment and send experts to Laos to support its efforts in successfully organizing the biennial sporting event.
In addition, Vietnam will give Laos an undisclosed non-refundable fund to build a national sports training complex in its capital Vientiane, projected to be completed by year-end.
The two sides will encourage cooperation between national sports federations and local sports agencies, particularly those in border provinces.
The 25th SEA Games is scheduled for December 2009 in Laos’ capital city of Vientiane, with some 6,000 coaches, athletes and referees from 11 nations and international sports organizations expected to attend the event.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad who is leading a delegation of high-level officials to visit Vietnam.
Source: VNA
