25th SEA Games, Laos

VIENTIANE, March 23 (Bernama) -- The Muay Lao Federation last week has signed an agreement with the Lao Brewery Company (LBC), which company supported the federation's preparations for the 25th SEA Games 2009 in Vientiane, Lao news agency (KPL) reported Monday.

Vice President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Somphou Phongsa, who is also a member of the 25th SEA Games Organising Committee and the representative from LBC as well as the officials of both sides, attended the signing ceremony.

LBC has agreed to provide more than 41.5 million kip (US$5,000) to help the federation prepare athletes for the games, which will take place in Vientiane from 9-18 December.

Somphou, on behalf of the committee and federation, thanked LBC for supporting the Muay Lao team and other sports federations.

"The Muay Lao team is a major medal contender for the games and the federation and athletes will work hard towards success," he said. Muay Lao in the national sports of Laos, similar to Thai kickboxing.

LBC recently signed agreements to provide sporting equipment to the taekwondo, petanque and football federations for their preparations for the games.