25th SEA Games, Laos

Photo: Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Professor Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, who is Honorary President of the newly reformed committee of the Lao Cycling Federation ( fourth right ), takes part in the start of the public cycling race in Vientiane yesterday morning. --Photo Sangkhomsay

The Lao Cycling Federation (LCF) is hopeful of winning gold medals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane next year after launching a new committee on Sunday.

Vice Minister of Information and Culture and LCF Honorary President Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdala, LCF President Vilaysouk Phimmasone and senior ministry officials attended a ceremony to launch the federation's new committee on Sunday in Vientiane.

Dr Bosengkham and senior officials participated in a mountain bike caravan procession along Fa-ngum Road as part of the event.

Mr Vilaysouk said the federation hoped to upgrade Lao cyclists' skills with the aim of achieving success at the SEA Games.

He said the federation was planning to organise an inaugural national cycling competition, a promotional bicycle caravan and an international cycling race in the lead-up to the games.

The federation's organising committee has sent cyclists to participate in the eighth National Games to be held in Champassak province in December.

The federation will organise a road race in January to select cyclists to join the national squad.

Mr Vilaysouk said the LCF was planning to send the national team to compete in at least two international races next year.

On Sunday, the federation organised a 6km road race along Fa-ngum Road involving more than 150 cyclists from Laos and neighbouring countries.

The race was held across various categories for competitors aged eight to over 50. Winners received trophies and cash prizes from the federation.

The event was supported by the federation and Lao Star Television Channel.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong