25th SEA Games, Laos

Lao wushu fighters smashed their medal target yesterday, winning three more gold medals to add to their tally in the sanshou finals on the last day of wushu events at Lao-ITECC.

The first gold came from Khamla Soukaphone, who beat Phan Vah Hau of Vietnam in the 52kg category. Phoxay Aphailath won the day?s second gold for Laos in the 56kg category, defeating the Philippines? Benjie Rivera, while a third came from Bouapha Valasith, who beat Junaidi Sukamto Rahmat from Indonesia in the 60kg category.
The President of the Lao Wushu Federation Mr Oudomsak Oudomthongkasem expressed his satisfaction that the Lao fighters had morethan doubled the federation?s medal target at the SEA Games, winning five gold, two silver and 4 bronze medals.

?Wushu is still a new sport in Laos, after this achievement our federation will expand in Vientiane and other provinces to draw on more resources and train good fighters to compete in the next SEA Games and do even better than in this event,? he said.

The Lao Wushu Federation entered 10 men and nine women in the 25th SEA Games wushu events, competing in men?s and women?s changquans (long fist, broad sword play and cud get), nanquans (southern fist and southern cudgel play), taijiquans (taijiquan and taijijian), duilian (barehand and weapon) and sanshou in weight categories of 45 to 65kg.

Their current successes build on those of previous SEA Games competitions, where in recent years Lao fighters have come away from the events with gold, silver and bronze medals.

The Media Communication Committee made a significant achievement in contributing to the success of the 25th SEA Games, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara said yesterday at a press conference at the Media Centre.

Dr Bosengkham, who is also Media Communication Committee Chairman for the 25th SEA Games, said “Information from reporters and the media contributed greatly to the success of the SEA Games. We made an admirable and significant contribution to the promotion of the event. Lao people living in the provinces and overseas and all those interested in the games received timely information. We saw people living in Vientiane respond and actively take part by attending events and showing their enthusiasm.” Dr Bosengkham said reporters and media organisations had benefited and raised their skill level through their coverage of the games. Reporters now knew how to better cover, send news and coordinate among themselves and other countries. The government has invested a large amount of money in the media to improve infrastructure, training and equipment.

“Feedback from the public suggests they think the media have done a good job, with presenters and reporters in the field giving good information,” Dr Bosengkham said.

The Media Communication Committee consists of five sub-committees, which all started preparing for the SEA Games in August 2008. They have promoted the event from December 2008 right up to the opening day of the SEA Games on December 9.

The committee and media organisations across the country created several special programmes for radio and television and published newspaper articles to deliver information to the public in a timely manner.

“All media organisations performed well in the important tasks the government assigned them,” Dr Bosengkham said.

More than 700 local journalists participated in covering various areas of news relating to the SEA Games.

“Reporters have been actively reporting news since before the start of the games until the opening ceremony,” Dr Bosengkham said.

Apart from this, 1,600 foreign journalists from Asean countries took part in the SEA Games, writing many articles about the event. People in Asean countries received information about the opening ceremony and every sporting event from journalists doing an important job in Laos .

The foreign news agencies took SEA Games news and produced TV programmes. They also booked a live broadcasting room. This allowed people living in Europe and the United States to watch the games.

Dr Bosengkham said Lao Channel 1, 3 and Lao Star broadcast their programmes to the world and in the Lao provinces. Local people and Lao people living overseas all enjoyed watching the games on these channels.

By Phon Thikeo
Vientianetimes
Photo: VTC

Lao sepak takraw team manager Khamvanh Nanthavong said the main goal of his team was to be good hosts and they were not expecting any major triumphs at the SEA Games.


Mr Khamvanh was speaking after his team lost to Thailand in the final of the men's regu event in Vientiane yesterday.

“Our goal is to be a good host. We're not hoping for anything else so we got the silver medal today. But I was proud because our team still lacks experience. We can't compete with the Thai players because they have so much more experience,” he said.

In the final match of the men's regu event, Thailand took the gold medal 2-0 with scores of 21-16 and 21-12.

Mr Khamvanh said his team had only two years of experience but the Thai team had been in the sport for 10 years, so their levels were very different.

At the start of the game, Laos and Thailand were level and there was almost no difference in score. But the Thai team started to pull away and Laos lagged behind to finish in second place and take the silver medal.

“Before the next SEA Games in Indonesia , Lao sepak takraw players will get as much as experience as possible,” Mr Khamvanh promised.

The Lao sepak takraw team is now running fourth in the sport's medal tally with one silver and two bronze medals. Thailand has five gold medals, Myanmar has one gold, one silver and one bronze medal, and in third place is Vietnam with three silver medals.

In the women's regu event which took place on the same day between Thailand and Vietnam , Thailand beat Vietnam 2-1 with a score of 19-21, 21-8 and 15-9.

In today's events, the Lao women's and men's doubles teams will face Malaysia , Indonesia and Thailand at the Lao International Trade and Exhibition Convention Centre starting at 9am.


By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Spectators returning home after the SEA Games are assured there will be plenty of buses running to the north and south, when the games end on December 18.

Bus operators told Vientiane Times yesterday they had enough buses to provide everyone with a journey home, whether going north or south, and there was no need to worry about getting a seat.

An official in charge of bus provision at the Chitprasong Transportation Company (northern route), Mr Khamdy Phimmasone, said there would be about 100 buses available, including privately owned buses registered with the company.

“I believe this number will be sufficient to transport everyone in the rush to return home after the games,” Mr Khamdy told Vientiane Times.

The company has been able to provide extra buses at peak times in the past, especially at the busiest time of the year during Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) in the middle of April when many people travel, he said.

At that time there are more than 50 buses in service - double the number that normally run on regular routes.

Mr Khamdy was unable to say how many extra buses would be added to cope with SEA Games passengers, saying it depended on demand.

“We will organise extra buses depending on the number of passengers. We can have buses available if need be and can organise additional buses immediately if they are required,” he said.

The situation is similar going south, with the Chitprasong Transportation Company ready to get travellers home, according to Southern Terminal Transport Association President, Mr Khamsaen Thammavong.

Bus companies are expecting a surge in customers after the games. As well as a boost in Lao passengers they anticipate a rise in foreign visitors travelling onwards to other parts of the country.

Transport providers had their busiest time at the start of the games when supporters from the provinces flocked to Vientiane .

Extra buses were laid on between the provinces and the capital and they were always full, bus operators said.

Normal services are running at present with one bus departing for the southern provinces every 30 minutes from 4:30am to 8:30pm every day and one bus every one to two hours going north from 6:30am to 8pm.

The situation is fairly quiet at the moment.

“Fewer people are travelling these days because so many people are in Vientiane for the games. However, we expect a rush when the games are over,” Mr Khamsaen said.

He said more people were booking bus tickets these days, perhaps because they were afraid there would be a shortage of buses.

“No problem, we have enough buses available,” he said.



By Times Reporters

Vientianetimes

The Lao muay team became the most successful in the country's history when the close of competition at the ongoing SEA Games saw a haul of five gold medals around their necks.

Yesterday was the final day of the muay events at this year's SEA Games. The Lao team had four boxers in the ring competing in seven gold medal bouts. At the end of the day the Lao team took home three gold medals and one silver.

The team won two other gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal on Monday.

The three gold medals for Laos yesterday came from Phoutthasone Keosayavong in the female light flyweight 48kg, Thongbang Seuaphom in the male flyweight 51kg and Paylor Xaypao in the female featherweight 57kg division.

Thongbang Seuaphom said after the medal presentation ceremony “This gold medal is a great honour for me because it is my international competition debut.”

“My future now is to continue to have more international fights with the national squad and to win more gold medals for Laos ,” the 20-year-old Thongbang said.

On the same day, the shuttlecock team also had their best success by scooping two gold medals and one silver.

The first gold came in the men's doubles from Southisone Thonmanivong and Khamphong Phouthong.

Another gold medal was won in the mixed doubles by Ms Pathoumphone Phammachane and Mr Phongeun Kongmany, while the silver medal was won in the women's doubles by Ms Malaythong Daosisavan and Ms Khamkhoun Luanglath.

Yesterday's gold medals followed the first gold medal for the shuttlecock team on December 13 from Southisone Thonmanivong in the men's singles event.

Vice Minister and Head of the Prime Minister's Office and President of the Lao National Shuttlecock Federation, Prof. Dr Boviengkham Vongdara, said yesterday “After three days of competition our team has won three gold medals and one silver medal. This is a very great success.”

“Although today is the final day of the shuttlecock competition, there are still two gold medals up for grabs for the men's and women's teams. Our hope is to win at least one more gold medal.”

The latest medal standings updated at 7pm on Tuesday placed Laos in seventh position out of the 11 competing countries with 22 gold, 11 silver and 35 bronze medals. This was on the seventh day of competition since the official opening ceremony on December 9.

The best medal tally for Laos in any previous SEA Games was 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals.



By Sisay Vilaysack
vientianetimes

SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Somsavat Lengsavad said yesterday the games will raise Lao sport to a higher level because of the enthusiasm shown by local people in supporting Lao athletes.

“SEA Games fever has shown that people want to cheer for and support their athletes in popular sports so this leads me to believe Lao sport will improve,” he said.

Mr Somsavat said many foreigners had told him they couldn't believe that Lao people could be so interested in the games. “I don't want to congratulate my own country but many national leaders in this region have congratulated us on our good preparations and infrastructure which has contributed to the success of the games so far.”

He said many delegations had also congratulated him on the standard of the various sports venues including those used for shooting and table tennis, saying they were better than those in other countries in the region.

“They also said we should organise other international sports events in the future.”

Mr Somsavat said he was proud of the way local people welcomed various visitors during the games with warm smiles and hospitality. He also congratulated Lao athletes, saying the SEA Games was an important event in the history of Laos .

“Our athletes have done well, winning many gold, silver and bronze medals even though the games are still not over. Laos has never had such medal success. But this time we are the hosts so our athletes trained hard for this victory.”

Mr Somsavat talked about the Lao footballers, saying they had played very well to be in the semi-finals. In the past, Laos had never reached the semi-finals.

“Today, I can say our footballers have greatly improved because of their dedicated training. They are trying to do their best, especially as we are the hosts of this event.”

He urged people to continue to show their support for Lao athletes until the end of the games, saying cheering was the best source of energy and inspiration as they pursued their medal quest.

“All Lao people should show their support right up until the end of the games. And we should continue to give visitors a warm and polite welcome, as well as taking care of the environment so the country looks its best for all delegations, guests and tourists visiting Laos,” he said.





By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

Vientianetimes

The nation's most anticipated event finally unfolded last night when the biennial regional sports competition, the SEA Games, officially opened in the Land of a Million Elephants.

Some 8,000 performers put on an unprecedented display of pageantry for the 20,000 spectators attending the grand opening ceremony of the 25th SEA Games at the National Stadium in Vientiane on Wednesday evening.
This is a truly great opportunity for Laos to show the world, especially the Asean region, that we can host an event in a style that befits the 50th anniversary of the Southeast Asian Games Federation.

Over 20,000 people flocked to the National Stadium last night to share in a joyful occasion that united everyone lucky enough to be present.

Spectators joined with government members and foreign guests in welcoming the athletes from 11 nations to the SEA Games in Vientiane .

The crowd watched in awe as one wave of performers after another swarmed into the vast arena, heralded by a stunning light show. A total of 8,000 performers put on an extravaganza of dazzling grandeur.

At the same time, millions of people throughout the country and the region watched the glittering spectacle live on television.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister and SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, reported that this year's 25th SEA Games comprised 25 sports with the participation of 3,038 athletes from 11 countries.

Of special note is the fact that at this SEA Games Laos has the privilege of welcoming the prime ministers of four neighbouring countries as well as the Asean Secretary General. This is unprecedented in SEA Games history.

President of the Lao PDR Choummaly Sayasone concluded the speech-making by declaring the 25th SEA Games open.

Before the show began, spectators gave a standing ovation as the athletes from each participating nation paraded around the stadium, beginning with Brunei Darussalam.

Brunei Darussalam has brought 74 athletes and officials to take part in seven sports. At the last SEA Games in 2007, Brunei won one gold, one silver and four bronze medals.

Cambodia has sent a 214-member team, who will compete in 19 sports. In the 2007 games, Cambodia won two gold, five silver and 11 bronze medals.

The Indonesian team consists of 650 people, competing in 21 sports. Indonesia ended the last SEA Games with 56 gold, 64 silver and 83 bronze medals.

Malaysia 's team of 564 is competing in 21 sports. In the 2007 edition they won 68 gold, 52 silver and 96 bronze medals.

Myanmar has sent a team of 389, who will take part in 18 sports. In 2007, they went home with 14 gold, 26 silver and 47 bronze medals.

The Philippines has a team of 413 athletes and officials, who will compete in 23 sports. In the 2007 games, they won 41 gold, 91 silver and 96 bronze medals.

Singapore 's group of 413 members will compete in 19 sports. In 2007, they won 43 gold, 43 silver and 41 bronze medals.

Previous SEA Games host Thailand has sent an 816-member team who will compete in all 25 sports. In 2007, they topped the medal tally with 183 gold, 123 silver and 103 bronze medals.

Timor Leste's team of 61 will take part in nine sports. Competing in the SEA Games for the first time in 2003, they have yet to win a gold medal .

Vietnam has a 681-member team who will compete in all sports. In 2007, Vietnamese athletes took home 64 gold, 58 silver and 82 bronze medals.

This year's SEA Games host Laos proudly entered the stadium with the largest team, comprising 853 members. The home team will compete in all 25 sports at this year's competition. In 2007, Laos won five gold, seven silver and 32 bronze medals.

Among the seemingly endless array of surprises that awaited spectators was the sight of boxing superstar Vongkot Chinda running into the stadium and holding aloft a flaming torch.

A cheer went up as he paraded before the crowd before passing the torch to the sporting heroes of other countries who were gold medal winners at previous SEA Games.

Vongkot won the first silver medal for Laos at the 1989 SEA Games in Malaysia , and followed this up with a second at the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore . Another of his successes was a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Beijing , China , in 1990.

The SEA Games opening ceremony was devoted to promoting the various cultures of all participant nations, as well as friendship and peace.

Other themes included environmental and biodiversity protection and the need to sustain these priceless resources for the next generation.

The highlights of Lao history also took centre stage, with colourful displays reflecting the Lao people's long tradition of protecting and developing their beloved nation, always seeking peace and friendship.

As the stadium filled with the massed performers for the grand finale, a thunderous firework display exploded into the night sky.

The evening's truly incredible pageant set the scene for an even more wonderful sporting event in the days to come.



By Sisay Vilaysack

Vientianetimes

Laos won its first gold medal in the men's singles poomsae (dancing style) taekwondo event at the Booyong Gymnasium at the National University of Laos yesterday.


Gold medallist Soukthavy Panyasit outside the Booyong Gymnasium.

At only 15 years of age, Soukthavy Panyasit won the medal in his first ever competition for the national taekwondo team in front of over 400 spectators.

Soukthavy, from Somsanouk village in Thakhaek district, Khammuan province, began training in taekwondo three years ago and showed sufficient promise to be selected by the Lao Taekwondo Federation for the SEA Games.

Soukthavy Panyasit and Soukthavone Manirard also won silver medals in the men's team poomsae event.

Soukthavy expressed his pride at winning the first gold medal for Laos and explained that he and his team-mates had gained much strength and confidence during a three month training course in the Republic of Korea in the lead up to the games. The team trained for five hours each day.

In the women's poomsae singles Kidavone Philavong from Xieng Khuang province won a silver medal for Laos .

This is the first SEA Games to feature the poomsae event, which consists of singles and team categories.

Lao taekwondo fighters won one silver and five bronze medals at the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.

During training in the Republic of Korea , the Lao taekwondo team competed in the Korean Open at the National University of Seoul, with two fighters winning gold medals in the poomsae event.

At the current SEA Games 135 fighters from 11 countries are competing in the taekwondo competition, which features both poomsae and fighting events.

Results of Wednesday's poomsae events :



Men's singles:

Soukthavy Panyasit ( Laos ): gold.

San Shein Thet ( Myanmar ): silver.

Daniel Danny Harsono ( Indonesia ) and Cheat Khemara ( Cambodia ): bronze.

Women's singles:

Ya Min K-khine ( Myanmar ): gold.

Kidavone Philavong ( Laos ): silver.

Lee Jeng Yen ( Malaysia ) and Lessitra Draningrati ( Indonesia ): bronze.



Men's team:

Vietnam : gold.

Laos : silver.

The Philippines and Thailand : bronze.

Women's team:

The Philippines : gold.

Thailand : silver.

Vietnam and Indonesia : bronze.

Mixed pairs:

Vietnam : gold.

Thailand : silver.

The Philippines and Myanmar : bronze.





By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

Vientianetimes

Thailand is sending an 842-strong contingent, comprising 550 athletes and 292 officials, making it the biggest team in the 25th SEA Games in Laos

Second is host Laos with 743 contingent members (482 athletes and 261 officials), followed by Vietnam (671), Malaysia(348 athletes and 121 officials), Indonesia（465), Philippines (413), Myanmar (400), Singapore (392), Cambodia (204), Brunei (79) and Timor Leste (77).

The smallest contingents are Brunei and Timor Leste with 30 and 37 athletes respectively.

Brunei will contest in six sports and Timor Leste, seven.

A total of 4,869 athletes who will vie for 370 gold, 370 silver and 539 bronze medals, with athletics being the most popular spors with the participation of 288 athletes, followed by football (280), shooting (169), sepaktakraw (167), swimming (140), karate (130), cycling (116), archery (114), badminton (114), judo (101).

Shuttlecock jiggling, which is popular among the the Indo-china nations, received the lowest participation among the 25 sports offered here.

Shuttlecock jiggling recorded 22 participatants from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

(KPL) The Information and Photos Centre has claimed its readiness to serve the 25th SEA Games, which will be held on 9-18 December 2009.

Twenty-five local photographers have been assigned to various competition venues under the supervision of Mr. Phonphet Sitthivong of the Lao News Agency.

The photographers to serve the event have prepared for over one month. ?The team is made of photographers from various print media organizations and now they are ready for the 25th SEA Games,? Mr. Phonephet said.

(KPL) The Mega Management Company Limited last week officially introduced a scratch lottery under the theme ?Rich Football? and ?Rich Sepak Takraw? in an effort to raise fund for hosting the 25th SEA Games.

The company has produced one million lottery tickets to win prizes totally worth more than two billion kip. The income from the lottery sales will be used as a contribution to the hosting of the 25th SEA Games.

?Winners can claim their prizes immediately when they see prizes on the lottery tickets,? said Marketing Manager of the Mega Management Company Limited, Mr. Bounnhou Sisane.

?Nobody can make a fake lottery to claim any prizes because our lottery ticket is produced in Australia and checked by the government officials,? insisted Mr. Bounnhou.

?The winners have to claim their winning prizes within 60 days after the lottery tickets are sold or else the prizes will belong to the government,? said Mr. Bounyou.

The 25th SEA Games which will be held on 9-18 December has 25 sports.

The SEA Games 2009 medals are being produced by a Vietnamese company – MarCom. This firm is also the exclusive provider of souvenirs for the games in Laos. MarCom Chairman and General Director Nguyen Hien Luong said that the company surpassed experienced rivals from China and Thailand to win the medal-casting contract thanks to their careful research of Lao culture and history.

Luong said that his company spent eight months learning about Lao people and their lives so that its medal designs clearly reflect Laotian culture. The front side of the 25th SEA Games medals depicts the Thatl Luong pagoda, a famous tourist site in Laos.

Below the pagoda in English are the words “SEA Games 25th Laos”. The medals are decorated by Champa flowers and leaves, symbols of Laos.


The medal’s back side is a big, blossomed champa flower with five petals.

In the center of the flower are Champa and Champi elephants, sacred animals for the 25th SEA Games

laosoc

As the 25th SEA Games is approaching, all committee are rushing to have a final touch for the preparations. Check out some of these photos for the update at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seagamesupdate/

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The Lao table tennis team is ready to take on the best opponents from neighbouring countries in events running from December 8-15 at the 25th SEA Games.

The team tested their skills at the 19th Asian Table Tennis Championship in India last month and have progressed even further since.

The Lao Table Tennis Federation selected five male and five female players to compete in the events. They are being trained by Thai and Lao experts at the federation's courts.

The federation's Secretary Ge neral, Ms Somchay Vongsa, said as well as the first team line-up six substitutes were also training for the event.

Currently the federation is installing equipment at the courts at the National University of Laos. This venue hosted the National Table Tennis Competition in September.

Technical officials qualified at the international level from India and Malaysia will assist in the competition and umpire teams from neighbouring countries will also adjudicate matches. The federation also has more than 100 staff and volunteers working at the games.

Earlier this year, the International Table Tennis Federation and the Lao National Sports Committee held a training course for federation officials.

Nine countries are sending table tennis teams to the SEA Games: Vietnam , Singapore , Malaysia , Indonesia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Thailand , Cambodia and Laos . Brunei and Timor Leste will not compete in this sport.

All of the teams will arrive in Vientiane by December 5.

On December 6, each country will confer with umpires to assist in the running of table tennis events.

In the first round five male Lao players will compete, as well as three male players in the team event. The women's team event starts on December 8.

The women's team won a bronze medal at the ASEAN University Games in Hanoi , Vietnam , in 2006.

Many of the Lao team took part in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Hotel rooms are still available for SEA Games fans and visitors who want to cheer for their sports stars, even though many hotels are close to being fully booked.

Many hotel owners in Vientiane told Vientiane Times yesterday their rooms were almost all reserved, while some said they were already full.

Vientiane is the main venue for the games' official delegates and sports fans coming to Laos for the SEA Games, which are scheduled from December 9-18.

Hotel, Guesthouse and Restaurant Association member Bouloud Viengviseth said rooms in about 70 percent of hotels that are members of the association have been booked by official delegates.

Being tasked to host official delegates means these hotels are almost fully booked, he said, adding that the association has more than 40 member hotels and another 40 member guesthouses.

The capital has 118 hotels with 4,207 rooms, including 898 rooms that have been reserved for official delegates from foreign countries, according to the Vientiane Tourism Department.

However, hotel rooms to be reserved for Lao delegates have yet to be confirmed, said a department official.

Vientiane also has 184 guesthouses with 2,750 rooms, which can accommodate up to 4,000 people. However, many of these rooms have already been reserved.

Both hotels and guesthouses can accommodate about 10,000 guests, including those rooms already reserved for some 1,255 official delegates.

The tourism official was unable to say what percentage of this accommodation had already been booked as individuals have booked through many channels, so the information could not be collated.

“We don't know the exact number of visitors who have booked so far. Some booked through travel agencies,” the official said.

Many people also booked by themselves on the Internet or by telephone.

The Lao National Tourism Administration estimates that about 60,000 tourists will come to Vientiane throughout December, including those passing through on their way to the provinces.

Though the number of visitors to the capital during the games might exceed the available accommodation, the administration's Vice President, Mr Sila Mounthalavong, believed Vientiane will be able to cope.

H e said many visitors might stay only for a few days, while some will just pass through and travel to other provinces.

Lao Association for Tr avel Agents President, Mr Bouakhao Phomsouvanh, said several thousand tourists from Asean nations are in or on their way to Vientiane for the regional sporting event.

Officials said many SEA Games visitors would stay with relatives during their time in Laos .



By Souksakhone Vaenkeo

Cambodia U23s coach Scott O’Donell has no complaints about the conditions at the players’ village in Vientiane

THE four group matches that Cambodia will play at the Southeast Asian Games will determine their success or otherwise, but it’s the off-the-field facilities that can be just as important to put the players in the right frame of mind before competition.

Scott O’Donell, the Cambodian coach, was in charge of the team for their last SEA Games outing in Khorat, Thailand, in 2007. “The rooms at the Village are a lot better than at the last Games in Khorat,” he noted. “At least we don’t have communal showers and toilets this time around. The Village isn’t fully operational yet because the Games don’t officially open ’til later, but the food’s OK, no complaints on that score, and the accommodation is OK too, and that’s what’s important for us.”

“It would be nice to have something to keep the players occupied in their free time,” he added. “In Khorat we had a games room and Internet. Here we have nothing like that, but it’s the same for every team. At least there’s a medical room, which is good, as some of the boys have been getting some [physiotherapy].”

The right diet and looking after themselves is a part of the players’ preparation that O’Donell has been keen to stress. “The food is good, a wide variety, and it’s nice,” he reported. “There’s pasta, rice and veggies, and all the boys are getting stuck in. They are starting to realise the importance of their diet, and they get a lot of fruit and veggies here, which is a good thing. I’m happy with it.”

The national coach claimed that, so far, the training facilities have been a mixed bag. “The first training session at the army stadium was fine. The next two at the television facility were absolutely terrible and simply not good enough. And today was perfect. So a mix of good and bad,” he commented as the team ended their first session at the Chao Anouvong Stadium, in central Vientiane where they will play three of their four group matches.



The accomodation block where the Cambodian U23 national team are staying in the players village on the outskirts of Vientiane.The Cambodian team watched both of the football competition’s opening games Wednesday and trained for an hour Thursday morning before making their final preparations for their first match against Thailand at 3pm Friday.

Source: http://www.phnompenhpost.com

The SEA Games Organising Committee led Lao athletes yesterday in paying respect to the late president Kaysone Phomvihane.

“We wish for the spirit of the late president to protect our athletes and ensure the games are a success, just as the late president led us to success in the past,” said Standing Deputy Prime Minister and committee Chairman, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad.

The event took place at the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum in Xaysettha district, Vientiane .

It is common practice for Lao people to visit a place of importance to wish for good luck in the lead-up to a significant event.

The 25th SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane, consisting of 370 events in the 25 sports of athletics, swimming, archery, badminton, snooker and billiards, muay, cycling, football, golf, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, shooting, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, pencak silat, petanque, fin swimming, diving and shuttlecock.

The games will involve athletes from Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysian, Myanmar , Philippine, Singapore , Thailand , Vietnam and Timor Leste.

Events will be held at the National Stadium in Dongsanghin village, Xaythany district; the Chao-anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district; the International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre; Beungkhayong stadium; National University of Laos Dong Dok Campus, Don Chan Palace hotel and other venues maked with the SEA Games signage.


By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

Vientianetimes

(KPL) The HK Group Company Limited has provided 20 million kip for The National Tennis Federation to support the preparation of Lao tennis players for the 25th SEA Games, to be held in Laos next month.

The handover ceremony was held last Friday at the new National Stadium (km 16) in Vientiane Capital.

The donation was presented by Chairman of the HK Group Company Limited, Mr. Hongkham Souvannavong, and received by President of the Lao National Tennis Federation, Mr. Houmphone Bouliyaphon.

The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Kasem Inthala, SEA Games Organising and Technique Committee, and officials concerned.

The tennis events during the 25th SEA Games will be from 10 to 18 December and will draw players from nine countries.

The Government has urged completion of final preparations at the SEA Games Village in Vientiane , ahead of the arrival of the first wave of athletes and tournament officials this week.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister and SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Mr Somsavat Lengsavad said at a meeting on Saturday that electricity, water and other facilities should be rechecked and any problems solved before the athletes arrive.

“Committees, construction companies and others should send their staff to solve any problems that arise during the games,” he said.

Mayor of the SEA Games Village Professor Lammay Phiphakhavong reported that there were still some small problems at the village that needed to be cleared up before the athletes arrived.

“There are still some small problems with electricity, water, room keys and the canteen. Some lamps are broken, there is sometimes no hot water on the second and third floors, some of the rooms don't have keys and there are some problems with the canteen toilets,” he said.

Mr Lammay said at the meeting that the construction company, electricity and water staff should stay at the village until the games are over so they could fix any problems as quickly as possible.

“If there is not enough space for all the guests and athletes at the village, we will take them to stay at the National University of Laos which is only 1km away,” he said.

Mr Somsavat asked electricity and water supply staff to fix any problems quickly, saying that because it was cool there should be hot water available.

Electricity workers should work with builders to locate the source of the problem and fix it this week, he said.

Representatives from both water and electricity companies told the meeting they had contacted the construction company and had found faults with their work, so they would need to sort out solutions this week.

Mr Somsavat said the SEA Games Village must test both water and electricity because when the village was fully occupied these utilities would be in full use.

All the lights must be turned on at the same time to see whether they are functioning or not, and if there is a problem it must be sorted out immediately, he said.

“They should also follow the same procedure to test the water. And all the other small problems should be fixed as well.”



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

The indoor stadium at Lao-ITECC will host the sepak takraw, wushu and pencak silat events during the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane next month.

The stadium comprises two floors on which the SEA Games Organising Committee has modified two rings especially for the wushu and pencak silat events.

Each arena has seating for 400 spectators and offices for event officials.

The sepak takraw and wushu events will take place on the first floor of the stadium, while pencak silat contests will be held on the upper floor which is still undergoing renovations.

SEA Games Construction Project Manager Khiengkham Phouthchanhthavong said 750 million kip was spent on improving the indoor stadium and arenas.

Mr Khiengkham said the three arenas will be of international standard and have excellent facilities for athletes, officials and spectators.

The national pencak silat and wushu teams are currently training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeut village, Naxaithong district.

The wushu team won one silver and two bronze medals at the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, while the pencak silat team won a bronze medal.

Pencak silat events will consist of weight divisions ranging from 45 to 80kg for males and 45 to 65kg for females. The Lao Pencak Silat Federation has sent the national team to train in Hanoi , Vietnam , until the end of this month.

The 21 male and four female fighters are training in Vietnam under the guidance of Indonesian and Vietnamese trainers.

Eleven male and five female wushu fighters in various weight divisions are currently training at the National Sports Training Centre under the guidance of Mr Cui Jian Gong from China .

The Lao Judo Federation hosted the East Asia Judo Championships at the indoor stadium in August to test judo athletes and event organisers in the lead-up to the games.



By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong