Photo: Mr Somsavat Lengsavad speaks at the sports committee's office.
Athlete transport and accommodation, public health and media coverage were some of the items on the agenda of the Lao National Sports Committee when it met yesterday to discuss preparations for the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The SEA Games will be held in Vientiane in December 2009, marking the first time Laos has hosted the event.
SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman and Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, spoke at the meeting and said Lao people would be proud the country was capable of planning such a large sporting event.
“Our target is to win 25 gold medals, but the athletes will have to win fairly,” he said.
“We will not stand for any cheating, especially involving drugs. If we find out that any referee has been biased then we will reprimand them.”
More than 700 cars and buses will be used to transport athletes and officials during the SEA Games, which will run from December 9-18.
Mr Somsavat said transport links were currently being upgraded and the new national football stadium in Xaythany district of Vientiane was finished and ready to use.
Lao sports officials are now selecting the best athletes in their respective sports, and China has offered to train some Lao athletes ahead of the event.
Away from the sporting field, the committee will make its final selection of female ambassadors for the SEA Games on New Year's Eve, when it will crown a number of young women with the title of Miss SEA Games.
The committee will meet again on Friday to discuss the budget for the games.
Also attending the meeting was Minister to the Prime Ministers Office and Lao National Sports Committee President, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom, and other deputy ministers.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
