25th SEA Games, Laos

The tennis courts to be use for the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos, is now 90% completed, reported the Tennis federation of ASEAN.

Mr. Chaipak Siriwat, vice president Olympic Committee of Thailand, the president of Tennis Federation of ASEAN, led the Board of ASEAN Tennis Federation to see the progress of the construction of the main tennis court, with the capacity of 2,000 people, and other 6 tennis courts near by.

Laos confirms that the construction work is now 90% ready and by the time of the SEA Games during 9-18 December, the courts must be ready in advanced and with no problems. The remained work include the decoration of the court and the changing room.

Photo: Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane

Vientiane to have decorations up by end of June

Vientiane will finish its programme of beautification by the end of this month in preparation for the 25th SEA Games which the capital will host from December 9-18.

This work is considered very important in readying Vientiane ahead of the games.

At a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday, Deputy Vientiane Mayor Bounchan Sinthavong said more than 6 billion kip would be spent on sprucing up the capital.

Efforts are being focused on Vientiane 's main streets, including Lane Xang Avenue , Anouvong Road and Fa-ngum Road .

Mr Bounchan said a company was being awarded a contract to carry out the work.

At present, the Vientiane Urban Development and Administration Authority (VUDAA) only focuses on this aspect of civil works from time to time, but it will now be working to smarten up the city on a daily basis.

The VUDAA will install pictures of the 25 sports to be included in the games at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge , along with pictures of the games' mascots, the elephants named Champa and Champi.

The authority will also install promotional signs at Wattay International Airport , the athletes' dormitory, the main sports complex at Km16 and at other sports venues nearby.

The Ministry of Information and Culture is responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.

The ministry has set aside four days for government officials and student teams to rehearse dance routines and other work. It is preparing the traditional dances and songs that will be performed at the ceremonies, dramas, and the costumes to be worn by artists, speakers and singers.

The Ministry of Finance is planning to print one million lottery tickets to be sold before the opening ceremony as a way of raising money for the games.

The meeting was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) Somsavat Lengsavad, Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) President Dr Phouthong Sengakhom, ministers and senior officials from LAOSOC.

Mr Somsavat said the opening and closing ceremonies would be full of interest and a very happy occasion, and would certainly be ready in time for the games.

Preparations for the games are making good progress, according to reports from senior officials of the 25 sports federations presented at the meeting. Meetings to discuss progress are taking place at the Prime Minister's Office every month.

Vientianetimes