25th SEA Games, Laos

Hundreds of fans packed the Budo Centre yesterday to cheer on 22-year-old Lao fighter Ms Phonenaly Sayarath who rewarded them with Laos ' first gold medal in judo.

As her supporters' shouts rose to a crescendo, Ms Phonenaly defeated her Thai opponent Sureerat Sadmaroeng in the final round of the women's under 52kg weight division.

Three Lao fighters competed in yesterday's final rounds at the Budo Centre.

The fans' enthusiasm was rewarded by Ms Phonenaly's gold medal and the efforts of two other Lao fighters, Ms Syamphone Phetnida in the women's under 48kg and Ms Chitchinda Bounphaaksone in the under 75kg, who both won silver medals.

Ms Syamphone and Ms Chitchinda were outmanoeuvred in their final rounds by their Vietnamese rivals Van Ngoc Tu and Nguyen Thi Kieu.

Ms Phonenaly's gold medal was her first and also the first for the Lao Judo Federation at this SEA Games c ompetition.

“I am really happy to have won gold at the SEA Games, especially since the event is taking place in my motherland. Thanks to all of my fans for cheering for me,” she said.

Ms Phonenaly has competed in the SEA Games on three occasions. The first was at the 23rd SEA Games in 2005 in the Philippines , and her second medal attempt was at the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.

“I finally have the top prize after winning bronze at the last SEA Games and getting nothing in the Philippines ,” she said.

She believes her success at this year's games is the result of two years of hard training in Japan , where she is studying.

Judo fighters competed for seven gold medals yesterday. Vietnam won three gold medals, while Myanmar , the Philippines and Thailand received one each.

Today, seven more gold medals are up for grabs in judo.

Laos has high hopes for two in the men's over 100kg and under 90kg categories, according to Lao judo trainer Chittiveth Nouankhaising.

Yesterday was a day of victory for Lao athletes at the ongoing SEA Games on home soil when they reached their target of 25 gold medals, as some optimists had predicted ahead of the games.

The eighth day of competition will go down in the record books as being the day when the magic number of 25 gold medals for Laos was reached in 25 sports at the 25th SEA Games.

The first gold medal yesterday came at 5:31pm, after a long day of waiting, thanks to Phonenaly Sayarath who won the women's under 52kg division in judo.

Other gold medals that pushed Laos towards success came from the swimming pool at 6pm, when Chrichina Sindara won the women's 50m surface fin swimming event and Amdavanh Phanmibounkong won the women's 400m surface fin swimming event.

Despite having reached their gold medal target, Lao athletes will continue to pursue their quest for even more gold in the last two days of competition.

The petanque team, who were favourites to win a gold medal yesterday, managed only bronze.

Of the 11 gold medals up for grabs in petanque Laos is hoping to claim at least four. So far, they have picked up one gold, one silver and five bronze medals in the sport.

The gold medal was won in the women's doubles on Monday by Manivanh Souliya and Noitavane Pasert.

The final two gold medals in petanque will be there for the taking on Friday in the men's and women's triples events.

Yesterday afternoon Laos claimed a silver medal when 20-year-old Milvady Hongfa took second place in the women's light flyweight 48kg boxing event.

On the shuttlecock court where Laos hoped to win one gold medal from the two events being contested, the team scooped two silver medals, with both golds going to the more experienced Vietnamese team.

In the round robin competition in women's football, Laos came in fourth, while Myanmar took the bronze medal. The gold medal was won by Vietnam after they beat defending champion Thailand 3-0 in a penalty shootout at Chao Anouvong Stadium yesterday.

The last men's football matches will take place today. The bronze medal match between Laos and Singapore kicks off at 3pm at Chao Anouvong Stadium, while the gold medal match between Vietnam and Malaysia will begin at 5pm at the National Stadium.


By Sisay Vilaysack

Vientianetimes

Ten-times overall champions of the SEA Games offer the most money for winning a SEA Games gold with their winning athletes set to receive 200,000 baht (US$6,000) each. According to the National Sports Development Fund's scheme, the silver medallist will take 100,000 baht (US$3,000) and a bronze winner 50,000 baht (US$1,500). But it is not only the athletes who will enjoy the benefits, sports associations will also be rewarded where they will receive 60,000 baht (US$1,800) for each gold medal, 30,000 baht (US$900) for a silver and 15,000 baht (US$450) for a bronze.

The coaches will get 40,000 baht (US$1,200) for a gold, 20,000 (US$600) for a silver and 10,000 baht (US$30) for a bronze. In all, the Fund will have to pay a total of around 300,000 baht (US$9,000) for every gold medal won. 'It is quite a high sum compared to that offered by other countries,'' said Thai official Sakol Wannapong. But it is not easy to lower the bonus because this would face opposition from the sports associations.

For the SEA Games in Laos, the Thais are targetting 100 gold medals from the 377 at stake. In the meantime, Indonesia have allocated a fixed sum for all their successful athletes where should they meet their target of 62 gold medals, each gold medallist will get 50 million rupiah (US$9,000). Singapore will give a bonus to only the gold winners - with a carrot of S$10,000 (US$7,000) with a further US$3,500 for additional gold medals won.

A record-breaking feat will earn Singapore athletes US$3,500. For hosts Laos who target 25 gold medals, the Lao Telecommunications Company (LTC) will provide 30 million kip (US$3,600) for a gold medal, 20 million kip (US$2,400) for a silver medallist and 10 million kip (US$1,200) for a bronze medallist.

On the other hand, Cambodia's gold medal winners have been promised 24 million riel (US$6,000) and the coach will get the same amount. For winning the silver, an athlete will take home 16 million riel (US$3,800) with 8 million riel (US$1,900) for bronze.

Vietnam will pay a gold winner US$1,500 each with Myanmar paying the same US$1,500 while a Philippine champion will get 300,000 peso (about US$4,700) each.

Source: SEAG

(KPL) Laos has stressed on disseminating culture to overseas at the opening and closing ceremonies of Vientiane Games, said Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Bouagnuen Saphouvong.

He continued that the opening and closing ceremonies of the 25th SEA Games, hosted by Laos would not use up-to-date technique and equipments like other country in the region.

?We would use the existing fine culture performance pouring down the generation to spread out our culture to visitors,? he added. ?At the moment, the preparation of infrastructure has already completed and served the opening and closing ceremonies of 25th SEA Games, which main target to overcome?.


To fulfill the target of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 25th SEA Games, we have given special attention by initiated the rehearsal practice early this year.

He has stated further that the Lao PDR was still poor and the host of historical event for organising regional sport was a big challenge and to be sure that the use of modern technique was limited, therefore we have made a decision to use the colour of fine culture instead of our limitation.

The dances display and songs focus on reflecting to a long tradition of Lao culture pouring down from the ancestors, especially the dance performance would feature the Lao nationalism has only one in the world.

Other performances would also reflect to different colour culture and abundant Lao culture through the ethnic clothes wearing by displayers, the national development and construction since foundation of Laos that dated back as far as Chao Fagnum king who founded the Laos till today.

More than 500 SEA Games participants from Southeast Asian nations arrived in Vientiane from November 28 to December 2, according to the SEA Games Reception and Protocol Committee.

The participants included athletes, coaches, administrators, referees and technical staff, who entered Laos at Wattay International Airport and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge . Cambodian delegations and athletes entered at southern border crossings.

According to the committee, some of them arrived last Saturday to take part in competition events such as the men's football, which started on December 2.

The women's football and water polo competitions will take place today at the National University of Laos Stadium and the National Stadium.

Competitions began on December 2, which was the 34th anniversary of Lao National Day. The opening ceremony will be held on December 9 at the National Stadium at km16 in Vientiane .

The first athletes to arrive in Vientiane were the Vietnamese men's football team, followed by football teams from Cambodia , Singapore , Malaysia , Indonesia , Myanmar , Timor Leste and the Philippines .

Other delegations included referees, heads of missions and other staff from Asean countries as well as from Bangladesh , Bhutan , India , Iran , Chinese Taipei, the Republic of Korea and Japan .

According to observations by local press at the Dongdok campus and SEA Games Village , the village was already crowded, with some athletes relaxing after training and walking around the complex and others training for upcoming matches.



By Times Reporters

The SEA Games Transportation Committee on Tuesday announced transport arrangements for the event.

Committee representative Mr Chanxay Vinavong said traffic arrangements need to be implemented to facilitate transportation during the games, particularly on the days of the opening and closing ceremonies.

“Those days in particular will involve a lot of traffic as it is expected at least 20,000 people will attend so we hope to minimise disruptions and make transport more convenient for everyone.”

The committee reported that all delegations, officials and athletes participating in the opening and closing ceremonies on December 9 and 18 should use Lane Xang Avenue Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue, the Dongdok road and Road 13 South to get to the National Stadium before parking in a designated parking lot.

Spectators coming from the north should travel through Tanmixay village in Xaythany district, and take the newly constructed road to the Udomphon junction where they should turn right onto Road 10 before turning left at Dontiew water tank onto the new road.

This will take them to the Viengving parking area in front of the National Stadium.

People coming from the south should travel to the stadium via central Vientiane . They should turn left at Km21 and pass through Khoksa-ard, Nakhuay and Huakhua junctions or Khoksa-ard, Ban Xok, Xamkhe, and Vangxai junctions, and Nongnieng and Huakhua villages to enter Vientiane .

They can also turn right at Km19 through Dongbang and Ladkhuay to Udomphon junction, drive along the new road until Tanmixay junction and then carry on until they reach central Vientiane .

Mr Chanxay said that parking areas are available for all vehicles outside the stadium.

Vientiane Traffic Police and Fire Fighting Division Chief, Lieutenant Colonel Salong Seng-Athid, said the traffic arrangements will help to reduce traffic jams during the games.

“I'd like to ask people to follow these arrangements on the days of the ceremonies. Traffic will be the same as usual on days without big matches at the main stadium.”

The committee plans to install directions to assist motorists.


By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

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

Tickets for football matches on the first day of competition in the 25th SEA Games have already sold out, according to distributors yesterday.

The 20,000 seats at the National Stadium will be packed with fans cheering for some of the region's most popular footballers on the first day of the games in Vientiane .

SEA Games ticket distributor, Mr Phankham Vongkhanty, also President of the Vongkhanty Construction Company, said many representatives from his company had reported selling all of their tickets, particularly to Vietnamese and Thai spectators.

“We have no tickets left for the match between Thailand and Vietnam or the Malaysia vs Timor Leste game, both of which take place on the first day of the games,” he said.

The first match will begin at 3pm when Malaysia takes on Timor Leste. The second game is the big match of the day and pits Thailand against Vietnam .

Mr Phankham said various Vietnamese tour companies had bought tickets for their customers, while Thai fans also took many of the tickets for the anticipated clash.

“Vietnamese fans will greatly outnumber Thai fans because our staff said the Vietnamese had ordered thousands of tickets from our company. So I think there'll be a lot more red shirts with yellow stars packing the stands.”

He said ticket prices ranged from 50,000 kip to 70,000 kip, which gave spectators the chance to watch both matches.

At the 24th SEA Games in 2007, Thailand and Vietnam played in different groups. In critical matches, Vietnam lost to Singapore 5-0 and Thailand defeated Myanmar 2-0 to win the gold medal. Timor Leste did not enter a football team, and Malaysia placed third in group B featuring Laos , Singapore and Vietnam .

Interviews with coaches at the weekend indicated Vietnam rated their hopes of victory at 50-50 while the Thai team had a firm belief they would contest the final.

Mr Phankham said tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies were already sold out, but he had 100 to 200 tickets that had been booked but not yet collected. If nobody claims the tickets they will be sold outside the stadium on the day of the opening ceremony on December 9.

“I want to remind ticket buyers that opening ceremony tickets can be used for the closing ceremony as well. One ticket will allow entry to both events. Our staff will tear off the top part of the ticket and the remainder can be used to gain entry to the closing ceremony.”

He warned that some ticket touts might tear off the top part of the ticket to sell for entry to the opening ceremony, deceiving people who did not realise the whole ticket was valid for both events. The touts would then sell the other half of the ticket separately for the closing ceremony.

“Our staff and other security personnel won't allow you to enter the stadium for either of these ceremonies if they see your ticket is not the right size,” he said.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Some of the Miss SEA Games this week completed the final touches to their outfits and hairstyles before they represent Laos at the SEA Games next month. Make-up artists and hairdressers from beauty salons in Vientiane demonstrated the looks that will be on show during the event, all in keeping with traditional Lao culture. Organising committee member responsible for Miss SEA Games, Mr Sopha Inthavong, said that to showcase Lao identity to visitors and guests, they had closely focused on unique Lao dress and weaving.

“We have had discussions with the Lao Women’s Union to come up with traditional clothing using Lao silk, which reflects traditional designs,” he said. “We also focused on the design and fabric used for making skirts. We are using traditional weaving styles because we want to promote the skills of Lao weavers.” Mr Sopha said the display of traditional Lao dress will show visitors a variety of Lao textiles and make the Miss SEA Games beautiful in a uniquely Lao way.

Apart from the aesthetics of the traditional costumes, the committee also wanted to focus on the natural beauty of the Miss SEA Games, so they chose eight beauty salons to pamper them, from polishing their nails to doing their hair and make-up. Hairdressers are very particular about the styling of buns because this especially shows off a woman’s beauty and the art of hairdressing Lao style. The 30 ladies who will carry placards in the stadium will bun their hair in the traditional style, adorned with real gold and vay flowers.

Those who lead the parade will have a similar bun but just a little bit lower and decorated with frangipani, the national flower. Six ladies who modelled their traditional costumes and hairstyles this week will have their photo taken for a calendar to be published by the Ministry of Information and Culture, which will be distributed during the games. Thirty costumes will be worn by the ladies carrying country name placards, while 100 costumes will be used for those presenting medals.

They will wear a different costume each day depending on the sporting event, but all of them will showcase Lao culture and beauty. The committee is ready for the games and is confident the government has provided sufficient effort and funding to make the Miss SEA Games a stunning success.

Source: Vientiane Times

Photo: MC15, Mr Ananh Sengsavang

With the words flowing as clearly and adroitly as those of a seasoned professional, it's not hard to realise that 18-year-old Mr Ananh Sengsavang has real talent.

This acumen shone through at the SEA Games Announcers Contest, where he deftly answered questions and demonstrated his linguistic abilities on stage.

This was the moment when the young man could win over those critics who doubted that someone of such a tender age could master the microphone.

His clear Lao and English language speaking skills were foremost among the reasons why he has been selected as one of 10 announcers for December's games.

The young man is a Vientiane native, but is also a veteran of two years of language study in Australia .

Despite his youth he was able to withstand the pressure, managing to pull together a performance to woo the judges and assembled audience.

As he talked during this interview, Ananh partly hid face with his hand, covering his nervousness.

“I think it's incredible I could pass this test, pitted against 45 contestants with experience as TV and radio presenters.

“It's all the more surprising after I sent my picture to the contest organisers and some people said my candidacy was inappropriate due to my age.

“However, that was good for me, as it was the first step towards improving my mental toughness and developing my ability to do well in this contest.”

Talkative by nature, Ananh has enjoyed entertaining others since he was a child, which could be where his ambitions as an announcer have their roots.

More recently he has been seeking to increase his experience and has been hosting a radio programme after school.

This practice has undoubtedly proven its benefit in competition with contestants more senior and seasoned than he.

Ananh tried to explain what helped him to pass the test.

He said he was almost unable to control his poise during the selection interview.

However, there was a secret weapon at hand. He was lucky enough to have learnt to reduce stress by mastering his breathing.

“It was hard to believe but it worked. I knew that when I heard my name announced in the list of 20 finalists,” he recounted with a grin.

In that round he felt more confident. Coming up against 20 senior contestants at the National Culture Hall, he once again dodged the cut and was selected as one of the 10 announcers for the SEA Games.

Ananh said he had both excitement and fear of failure coming into the final round.

Presented with an article and only 10 minutes to prepare, he was competing on stage.

He also had to write scripts himself in a bid to communicate with the audience.

The most challenging task was to remain composed when dealing with an incident on stage.

Being able to handle unexpected occurrences on stage is very important if you want to be a good Master of Ceremonies.

The young man showed his problem-solving ability and gained experience from this challenge.

Ananh explained that although he had spoken on-air and received valuable advice from his seniors, he remained unsure of his success.

According to the young man, that's partly because addressing a large remote audience, as one speaks alone via radio, can seem like a solitary exercise.

Speaking on stage to an audience is what really gets his nervous energy up.

“However, you must learn to adjust, just take in the feel of the event.”

So, what was the most difficult part of the contest? Ananh confidently answered that everything had both simple and hard aspects, and it was up to the individual to overcome both.

Like many a proverb says, when one is patient, success is found.

“For me, the difficulty was like a challenge, and an opportunity to improve myself,” Ananh said.

Ananh is a student at the Faculty of Architecture at the National University of Laos.

While he has yet to formally do any media studies, he still loves speaking, providing information and entertaining other people. He hopes his experiences at the SEA Games will give him the opportunity to become a renowned presenter in the future, be it wooing the crowds in person or via the airwaves from a broadcasting studio.

By Ounkham Pimmata
Vientianetimes

(Kpl) A five star hotel Don Chan Palace will be a venue for the competition of snooker and billiard during the 25th SEA Games (9-18 December), according to a contact signed at the hotel last weekend.
Deputy President of the National Snooker and Billiard Federation has confirmed the readiness of the Lao players.

Signatories to the agreement on renting space and equipment of the hotel for hosting the snooker and billiard competition were Deputy President of the National Sports Committee, Mr. Somphou Phongsa, or Snooker and Billiard and Don Chan Palace?s Assistant Executive Manager, Ms. Angeline Khor. The ceremony was witnessed by concerned officials and press people.

?Snooker and billiard are among the 25 sports to be competed during the 25th SEA Games,? said Mr. Somphou. ?The government has agreed to choose the hotel because it is a standard hotel in Vientiane,? added Mr. Somphou.

Deputy President of the National Snooker and Billiard Federation, Mr. Pasithsay Luangkhoth, said that the federation so far had completed selecting 16 national athletes and they now were training.

More than 100 athletes from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei will compete in many categories such as single?s snooker, billiard single, double, pool 9 single, double, pool 8 single, pool 9 women?s single, pool 8 women?s single and carom events. The competition will start on 10-17 December.

Vientiane Labour and Social Welfare Service has assigned direct call numbers for tracing beggars to ensure keeping orderliness within Vientiane capital during the 25th SEA Games which will fall on 9-18 December this year.

Individuals can inform village authorities, security officers stationed in nearby village clusters or dial or and 56 17 044 if they see beggars within the capital, said on Tuesday Mr. Khonesavanh Phommadouang, Head of Social Welfare Division, Vientiane Labour and Social Welfare Service.

Mr. Khonesavanh said that committees for dealing with beggars had been established at central and district levels as well as a taskforce to work with public security officers and grassroots political strengthening units in village clusters across the capital. According to Mr. Khonesavanh, beggars who are arrested will be sent back to their hometowns or to a detention centre at Somsa-nga village which currently houses 22 beggars from Vientiane province and Vientiane capita

The Lao Women's Football Federation will organise a final test event for its players on November 18-19 before the SEA Games get underway in December.

After conceding several goals at the International Women's Football Tournament held in Quang Ninh , Vietnam , last month, the team will play against a club from Chonbury province, Thailand , as a final test before the games.

Assistant coach Mr Viengsavanh Sengchanh accepted yesterday that his team was not as strong compared with the Thai and Vietnamese teams because they didn't practise before the tournament.

“We had left early hoping to practise in Vietnam for 10 days, but unfortunately there was a big storm in Vietnam then so for those 10 days we just ate and slept. We returned home for five days but the tournament organisers invited us to participate in the event so we decided to go ahead even though the players weren't fit,” he said.

After coming back from the tournament, the team starting practising hard by using the experience of the loss, and now they are getting better and are ready to take on the Thai team this month.

The squad has been training since April this year, and the federation invited countries in the region to a tournament in Champassak province. The Lao women were runners-up in the event.

“We have 25 players who are strong and ready to play in the SEA Games; I think they will be able to hold their heads high next month,” Mr Viengsavanh said.

The test event on November 18-19 will be another trial run for the Chao Anouvong and Dongdok stadiums to see if they are ready for the SEA Games.

“Fans can go to cheer the team for free during the competition on both days,” he said.

Mr Viengsavanh also explained that after the match the federation will continue with training and will select the final 20 players for the SEA Games.

“We promise we'll get one of the three medals for Laos ,” he said.

The women's football matches will be played in a group comprising Malaysia , Thailand , Myanmar , Vietnam and Laos .

“ Vietnam has the strongest team but we are trying our best,” Mr Viengsavanh said.

More than 100 hundred Lao athletes will continue to train in Vientiane in preparation for the 25th SEA Games next month after successfully completing training programmes in neighbouring countries.

Members of the pencak silat, fin swimming and wrestling teams are currently training in Vietnam and will return to Vientiane this month.

The swimming squad is training in Bangkok , Thailand , while the taekwondo team (artistic style) is practising in the Republic of Korea and divers are preparing in Beijing , China . All will return to Vientiane by the end of this month.

Lao athletes are eager to perform well at their home games after improving their skills at training camps abroad over the past year.

It is expected the fin swimming, swimming and diving teams will struggle to win medals at the event because they have only had a short preparation period and lack experience at the international level.

However, the martial arts teams are expected to perform well at the games and the Lao Wrestling Federation currently has 11 male and three female athletes training in Vietnam .

A member of the Lao wrestling coaching team, Mr Manolom, said the federation will select a final squad for the games when the team returns to Laos .

The national shuttlecock team concluded a four month training camp in Hanoi , Vietnam , this month. During that time the team won a bronze medal at a Vietnamese national event and two silver and two bronze medals in the Asian Indoor Games.

The team was buoyed by their recent successes and are confident of claiming medals when their nation hosts the regional sporting event in December.

The boxing, archery, taekwondo, karatedo, and athletics teams are currently training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeud village, Naxaithong district.

The petanque, table tennis, volleyball and other squads are training at camps around Vientiane .

It is expected all 25 national teams competing in the games will be training in Vientiane by the end of this month.

During the games, the track and field, swimming, fin swimming, diving, volleyball and beach volleyball, badminton, tennis, football, archery and shooting events will all be held at the National Stadium in Xaythany district.

The billiards and snooker contests will be held at the Don Chan Palace hotel, while the boxing and wrestling events will be held in the Olympasia gymnasium at the National University of Laos Dongdok campus.

The university will also host the table tennis and petanque events, while the weightlifting will take place at the nearby Phonsavanh School in Dongdok village.

The golf event will take place at the SEA Games golf course in Phokham village, Xaythany district.

The judo and karatedo events will be contested at the Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Anou village, Chanthabouly district, while the sepak takraw, pencak silat, and wushu events will be held at the Lao-ITECC.

The muay (kick-boxing) and shuttlecock events are to be held at the indoor stadium in Beung Kha Ngong village.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The main Lao-Japan Budo Centre is complete and ready to host the judo and karatedo events at the 25th SEA Games from December 9-18.


The karatedo team gives a demonstration at the Budo Centre.

The Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) staged a budo exhibition at the centre after its construction was completed on November 6.

Construction took part in two phases at a cost of more than 600 million yen, funded by the Japanese government and people.

The contract for construction of the centre was awarded to Azusa Sekkei Co., Ltd. as the consultant and the Consortium of Kanto Construction Co., Ltd. in cooperation with Sanpo International Corporation as contractor.

The first Budo Centre in Laos is located in Anou village in Chanthabouly district, Vientiane .

The handover ceremony was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the SEA Games Organising Committee, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, LNSC President Dr Phouthong Seng-Akhom, Japanese Ambassador to Laos Masaaki Miyashita, and senior officials from Laos and Japan .

Mr Somsavat said the centre was an important contribution to the success of the SEA Games. The Lao government considered it is as a special project of bilateral cooperation.

He expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Japan , specially the consultant company on behalf of JICA, and the Consortium of Kanto Construction and Sanpo International Corporation for their professionalism in ensuring the centre was finished on time and was of the highest standard

The centre has been fitted out to hold the judo and karatedo events at the SEA Games.

The Lao judo and karatedo teams will live and train at the centre in preparation for the games.

Until now, the karatedo fighters have been training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeut village, Naxaithong district.

Judo and karatedo are both Japanese martial arts. They were introduced to Laos in the 1960s and have seen gradual development through the assistance of Japanese volunteers.

The Budo Centre will be the main venue for aikido, judo and karatedo events and will also be used for other sports such as table tennis, badminton, and sepak takraw.

Seminars, conference and concerts can also be staged there to make money for administration and maintenance purposes.

The Lao government's contribution to the project was to demolish the existing building on the site, relocate a primary school, clean the site, erect fencing, hook up electricity and water to the site and do the landscaping, at a cost of 2 billion and 42 million kip.

The construction project is the largest the Japanese government has provided to Laos under its cultural grant assistance scheme. The Budo Centre is the first of its kind for the promotion of Japanese martial arts in the region.

The Budo Centre comprises a three-storey main building and two single-storey buildings with a total construction area of 1,796.2 square metres.

The main building comprises a practice and competition venue, the director's room, administration room, and aikido, judo and karatedo offices.

It has fixed seats for 436 spectators and 275 removable seats for activities such as concerts. After the handover ceremony, hundreds of aikio, karatedo and judo fighters at the junior and senior levels from Japan and Laos took part in demonstrations at the centre.

At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, the Lao karatedo team won a bronze medal and the judo team two gold, one silver and three bronze medals.



By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Laos is ready to host the 25th SEA Games, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of next month, according to a top government official.


“Judging from the progress made in various work activities, we can now announce that we are fully prepared to successfully host the 25th SEA Games,” Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara announced on Wednesday.

He made the announcement during a briefing session on the SEA Games for ministers responsible for information from Asean and dialogue partners of China , Japan and South Korea who are attending the 10th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information and related meetings in Vientiane this week.

The briefing session was also attended by Minister of Information and Culture Mounkeo Oraboun.

Dr Bosengkham said the construction of the new National Stadium, which will be used to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, is 100 percent complete.

The sports complex, which is located some 16 km outside of central Vientiane , consists of a football stadium, two indoor stadiums, tennis courts, swimming pools, and shooting and archery ranges, and can seat 20,000 spectators.

The renovation of the Chao Anouvong Stadium (formerly the National Stadium) in the city centre is also complete, he said, and will host the qualifying rounds of the men's football event.

Construction of the boxing arena in Beungkhanhong village, the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeut village, and two indoor stadiums at the National University of Laos Dongdok campus are all 100 percent complete.

Other sports venues, including the Budo Centre in downtown Vientiane , and the Indoor Sports Complex will be finished this month, he said.

Dr Bosengkham said adequate, secure, and comfortable accommodation facilities are in place for athletes, referees, tourists and media.

The newly built SEA Games Village in Nongviengkham village, Xaythany district, near the Dongdok campus can accommodate 4,000 athletes . The village also includes offices and a canteen.

The government has selected a number of hotels and guesthouses to accommodate more than 3,000 tourists and media representatives during the games, he said.

The government has also provided guidance to hotels and restaurants on observing strict hygiene practices and providing clean food.

Dr Bosengkham said the government has appointed a health committee to prevent outbreaks of influenza A(H1N1), and thermal scanning equipment has been installed at several international border checkpoints.

The government will also introduce measures to facilitate immigration procedures at border checkpoints in the lead-up to and during the games.

Dr Bosengkham said the government has exerted every effort to build the necessary infrastructure for the games.

A number of countries, in particular Asean nations and local and international companies, have lent their support to the government for the games, he added.



By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
Vientianetimes

Lao and Vietnamese men's volleyball teams defeated their respective Thai and Vientiane opponents on the first day of the three-nation Volleyball Friendship Tournament.

The tournament is taking place in Vientiane from November 4-6.

Laos narrowly beat Thailand in three of five sets with a score of 25-20, 25-23 and 25-22 in the first game played yesterday morning.

Vietnam beat the Vientiane players with a score of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-16.

Lao Volleyball Federation President Phengsangouane Chounlamany said at the opening ceremony that the tournament aimed to test the preparation and readiness of the competition venue and staff.

This would ensure the organisation of volleyball matches played at the SEA Games next month would meet international standards.

“The tournament is also a chance for our players to practise so they are better prepared to compete in the SEA Games,” Mr Phengsangouane said.

Federation staff had organised the competition very well considering it was their first experience of such matches, he said.

There had been a few small problems but the federation would work to remedy these in the coming days.

The federation reported they had trained their staff prior to the SEA Games and the tournament would be a valuable experience for them ahead of the main event.

The federation believes the men's volleyball team will be 100 percent fit. The players have promised to learn as much as possible from the tournament in a bid to improve themselves for the SEA Games.

Laos has taken part in previous SEA Games held in Vietnam and Thailand , but without much success.

This time, with Laos hosting the games, local players are practising hard to go further in the competition.

Federation Secretary Sichanh Chittapanya said “We have to accept that the opposition is professional, not amateur, so their skills and tactics might be much better. But this time is different so, who knows, we might get a medal in the SEA Games this year.”

“After this tournament we will know more about what to expect at the games and the extent of our ability to go through to the business end of the competition.”

Today's schedule sees Vietnam up against Thailand and Laos take on the Vientiane team.


By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Even though Lao wrestlers will be up against many experienced opponents at the SEA Games next month, the Lao Wrestling Federation is confident its teams will pick up medals.

The federation's Deputy Secretary General, Mr Manolom Phinith, said yesterday many of the federation's athletes have been training and competing abroad.

Members of the national team participated in a competition in Mongolia earlier this year and won three gold, two silver and one bronze medal between them.

“After training in Mongolia for about a month they participated in the competition and were very successful, much to the delight of their Mongolian coach. The national coach has remarked that Lao wrestling could do with more exposure of such successes,” he said.

The federation reported six Lao wrestlers just returned from Mongolia last month and there are a further 15 currently training in Vietnam who will return home in mid-November.

“We will select the best 13 wrestlers, including three women, for the SEA Games, after they have all returned from training abroad,” Mr Manolom said.

The federation was established in 2002 and first selected athletes from martial arts and body building to train in wrestling. The federation has sent athletes to compete at past SEA Games in Vietnam , the Philippines and Thailand .

“Our wrestlers won a bronze medal in Vietnam and the Philippines , and we also won two bronze medals at the 24th SEA Games in Thailand ,” he said.

Mr Manolom said Vietnam is a strong wrestling nation, but Lao wrestlers remain confident of success at their home games. “On behalf of the host nation, we believe our athletes will compete hard to win medals for their country.”

The wrestling event at the games will comprise freestyle and greco-roman events. In the freestyle category fighters are able to make contact with every part of the body, while in the greco-roman style contact is limited to above the waist.

The freestyle event will consist of 50, 55, 60, 66, 74, 84, 96 and 120kg weight divisions. The men's greco-roman event will be contested in eight weight categories ranging from 50 to 120kg.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Sporting equipment will be installed at almost all SEA Games venues by the end of this month, according to the SEA Games Technical and Preparation for Sport Contingent Committee.


The badminton court is almost ready for SEA Games matches.

Vice Chairman of the committee, Mr Phouvan Vongsouthi, said yesterday that 90 percent of the required equipment has already been fitted at each venue, except for the billiards and snooker venue.

The committee reported that most of the sporting equipment is already in Laos , while the rest has been ordered and is yet to arrive from abroad.

Equipment for the archery, badminton, swimming, football, muay, taekwondo, karatedo and shuttlecock events has been ordered but is yet to arrive. It should be received and installed by the middle of this month.

Mr Phouvan said many venues are just waiting for final pieces of equipment, such as the shooting range where most equipment is already installed and just running targets are yet to be delivered from Germany .

“Equipment for the swimming event has already been provided by China , but we had to order some chemicals to treat the water from another country,” he said.

He said officials overseeing the wushu, sepak takraw and pencak silat events are waiting for the That Luang Festival fair to conclude at the Lao International Trade and Exhibition Convention Centre where those events will be held before they install equipment.

The committee confirmed that 25 sports will be contested at the games. There are 370 events in the programme with 1,239 medals on offer, consisting of 370 gold, 370 silver and 539 bronze medals.

Events will be held at six venues in Vientiane - the National Sports Complex at Km 16, National University of Laos' Sport Centre, Chao Anouvong Sports Centre, Lao-ITECC Sports Centre, Beungkhangong Sports Centre and the Don Chan Palace hotel.

The main complex will host the athletics, aquatics, archery, badminton, men's football, golf, shooting, tennis and volleyball (indoor and beach) events. The National University of Laos' Sports Centre will hold the boxing, women's football, petanque, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, and wrestling competitions.

Chao Anouvong will be the site for men's and women's football, judo and karate-do. Lao-ITECC will host the pencak silat, sepak takraw and wushu events. The Buengkhangong Sports Centre will see muay and shuttlecock action, and Don Chan Palace will hold the billiards and snooker events as well as serving as the start and finish points for the cycling races.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

The final number of athletes from each nation to compete in the 25th SEA Games will be announced on October 26.

Vice Chairman of the SEA Games Technical Committee, Mr Kasem Inthara, yesterday said Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Malaysia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Singapore , Thailand , Vietnam and Laos had all submitted athlete numbers to the committee, but a report had yet to be received from Timor Leste.

“We believe about 4,200 athletes from those 10 countries will compete at the games. Laos has the largest contingent at 661athletes, followed by Thailand with 637 and Vietnam with 600 athletes,” he said.

Although the countries had already sent figures to the committee, final numbers of athletes from each nation, and their names, will be reported at the end of the month.

The committee will organise a meeting between sporting officials involved in the games on October 23 to discuss any issues before the list of athletes is finalised.

The games will take place from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane, and will comprise 383 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.

As well as taking place at the National Stadium, events will be held at indoor and outdoor courts at Chao-anouvong Stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district, the International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Beungkhayong Stadium, Don Chan Palace hotel and facilities at the National University of Laos.

Vice Chairman of the SEA Games Organising Committee, Dr Phouthong Seng-Akhom, has said hosting the games is important for political matters, foreign affairs issues and socio-economic and cultural development, as well as national security and the promotion of a peaceful society.

Committees have been formed to oversee hospitality, transportation, travel arrangements and security during the games. They include representatives from the ministries of Public Works and Transport, Health, Public Security, and Information and Culture, the Lao National Tourism Administration and other organisations.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
October13, 2009
Vintianetimes