25th SEA Games, Laos

(KPL) Lao boxers won three gold medals in 57kg, 51kg and 60kg categories after hard competition against fighters from Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore on 20-23 October in Vientiane.

Twelve boxers have been sent to compete at the Lao Open Boxing Tournament.
The Lao Amateur Boxing Federation organized the tournament to find the competitive athletes for the up-coming games, to be held in Vientiane from 9 to 18 December.

The first gold medal was won by experienced boxer Mr. Sayalack Chanthasone, who defeated a boxer from Thailand in men?s 57kg category. The victor hopes to claim another gold medal in his home games in this coming December.

The second gold medal was taken by Ms. Somphone Keosynang after beating a fighter from Indonesia in 51kg category and the third belonged to Mr. Khouthavysack Monboutsady who fought in 60kg division.

Sepak takraw squad kicking along towards SEA Games

After intense competition, 42 sepak takraw athletes have been selected for tactics and skills training in preparation for 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

The Lao Sepak Takraw Federation held a qualifying competition in Savannakhet province from April 3 to 5 to choose the best sepak takraw athletes from around the country.

Players selected for the games squad will continue their training at Savannahket's Sepak Takraw Centre.

There are no guarantees though, as only 36 male and female kickers will make the final cut.

Federation secretary Somsavath Phongsa said 60 athletes from six provinces participated in the competition.

Players represented the provinces of Borikhamxay, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Champassak and Vientiane , as well as capital.

“These activities are another opportunity for the federation to select the best sepak takraw players, after the eighth National Games held in Champassak province in December last year,” Mr Somsavath said.

After early setbacks, Savannakhet province took out Borikhamxay province 19-21, 21-18 and 17-16 in the final. In third place was Vientiane .

Borikhamxay province reversed its fortunes in the women's doubles competition, disposing of Vientiane province in two sets, 21-15 and 21-13. Savannakhet province was third.

It was an all-Savannakhet final in the men's singles, with a final scoreline of 21-19, 21-15. Third placed was Vientiane .

Borikhamxay province met Savannakhet province in the women's singles, taking the final 21-18 and21-15. Vientiane province took the last place on the podium.

Mr Somsavath said the choice of Savannakhet as the venue was no coincidence, as it had proved itself a hotbed of kicking talent.

“Savannakhet has more strong athletes than other provinces, so that is why the federation decided to gather 42 athletes in Savannakhet province after the competition,” Mr Somsavath said.

“I believe the sepak takraw federation is the first to gather athletes in another province, not here in Vientiane like so many of the federations participating in the SEA Games.”

The federation will whittle down the squad further, with the best 18 men and women to participate in the SEA Games at the end of this year.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam will send equipments for competition houses and provide technical assistance to help Laos prepare for the organisation of the 25 th SEA Games, scheduled for December.

The pledge was made meetings between Vietnamese sports experts and Lao colleagues regarding cooperation in the organisation of Southeast Asia’s largest sports event.

The Vietnamese experts, led by Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee Hoang Vinh Giang, also shared with Lao officials practical experiences from the organisation of the 23 rd SEA Games in 2007. (VNA)

Close up with Miss Lao SEA GAMES and their preparation for the upcoming 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos.



Sorry, the clip is in Lao language only !

(KPL) The Asian Football Federation organized in Vientiane on 6 April a five day training course to develop football administration, management and coaching capacity within the Lao Football Federation.

The regional course which is part of the Futuro programme run by FIFA, concentrated on instruction of coaches, referees, administrators and sports medicine practitioners, with a view to producing active, home grown management talent, with the proactive effort of member associations.

The five day training course will focus on administrative proficiency, FIFA development activities, general management and finance, as well as competition organization, planning and marketing.

HANOI, Feb 19 (VNA) – Vietnam will send an 800-member team to the 25 th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos this December, announced the Sports Administration.

The announcement was made at a meeting deploying culture, sports and tourism works this year, which was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi on Feb. 17.

The Vietnam sports delegation will aim to earn around 55-60 gold medals at the Laos Games, and rank in the top three.

At the 24 th SEA Games in Thailand , the largest in the regional event’s history with 43 events and 488 sets of medals, Vietnam sent 1,000 athletes and finished in the top three.

Vietnam has also defined some main tasks in 2009, including helping Laos organise the 25 th SEA Games successfully, earning 11 golds to rank sixth at the third Asian Indoor Games, hosted by Vietnam, taking part in the Asian Martial Arts Festival with 80 athletes and gaining gold medals in pencak silat, karatedo, taekwondo and wushu and partaking in the Asian Youth Sports Festival in Singapore with 90 players, all while preparing for the 2010 Asian Games and the 2012 Olympics.

This year, Vietnam will also be the host of over 200 tourneys, of which 30 will be international. (VNA)

More than 250 Lao doctors, nurses and students from various medical facilities around Vientiane will provide medical services at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.

Member of the National Olympic Committee of Laos and Chairman of the Medical Anti-Doping Commission, Dr Alongkone Phengsavanh, said on Monday the team will be divided into three groups for medical services, food safety issues and doping tests.

The doctors come from major hospitals in Vientiane including Mahosot, Mittaphab, Setthathirath, 103 and 109 and the University of Health Sciences . Some will provide emergency medical services for athletes injured while competing, while others will specialise in assisting athletes with physical rehabilitation to recover from minor injuries.

Dr Alongkone said about 80 doctors and nurses will take part in training courses next month to learn more about doping tests.

In addition, doctors and nurses in major hospitals will be on stand-by 24 hours a day to provide emergency medical services for everyone during the games.

“Even though it will be the first time we've hosted the SEA Games, we are confident our team can provide effective and efficient services, as we have already proven when we hosted other big events such as the Asean Summit in 2004,” Dr Alongkone said.

By Sangkhomsay Bouphanouvong
vientiane times

(KPL) Ninety per cent of the construction work of the new sports stadium for the 25th SEA Games has been completed.

The next stage is to carry out the decoration work for this infrastructure.
This was reported during a meeting on the progress of the preparatory work on the Sea Games on 20 March, under the chairmanship of Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad.

The sub-committees for organizing the Sea Games reported at the meeting that the inauguration and closing ceremonies of this sporting would be different
from the past Sea Games.

The Standing Deputy Prime Minister stressed on the policy of usage of local products at this coming sporting event and on the need to get the Lao national athletes to practice at the training centre after the Lao New Year.

He also said the financial sub-committee has approved 90 billion kip to fund other preparatory works.

For the senior sports officials, they would be accommodated in eleven standard hotels and 200 rooms had been set aside specially for them, said Mr Somsavat.

To ensure spectacular shows during the opening and closing ceremonies of this sports event, there will be 8,000 performers, and they would be rehearsing their sequences soon, said the Standing Deputy Prime Minister.

Last but not least, he asked all sub-committees to be conscientious, to complete their work on schedule and to take care of the welfare of the athletes.

The Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) is seeking a further 30 billion kip to boost the national team's preparations for the 25th SEA Games, to be held in Vientiane from December 9-18.

A budget of 50 billion kip has already been approved.

The LNSC announced it would seek the increase, to a total of 80 billion kip, at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.

The meeting was held to discuss the progress of sports complex construction, food provision, tours, security, transportation, athletes' preparations for the games and other related issues.

It was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and LNSC President Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom and senior officials from each sports federation.

Mr Somsavat Lengsavad said construction of sports venues was on track.

However, preparations to ensure Laos had the best possible results from its elite competitors and their teams was proving more of a challenge.

He said progress was being made on issues ranging from accommodation to training upgrades for referees and match officials.

Several teams will stay at live-in training camps after the Lao New Year festivities.

Meanwhile, Vientiane hotels and tour operators are preparing for an influx of official guests and visitors during the games.

Mr Somsavat said the Lao World Company would be responsible for providing food during the games and food imported from other countries would be banned.

He said agencies' work to coordinate preparation efforts was improving, and the LNSC hoped to continue working effectively to ensure smooth preparations for Lao athletes as they get ready to compete on home soil.

The LNSC, Chinese advisors and Lao officials would continue working together through the construction phase of the sports complex until the games were over.

The Ministry of Information and Culture promised to be ready with 8,000 performers for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Naxaithong district's Sports Training Centre martial artists still require important equipment for training and competition

Currently in training at the centre are 30 Lao boxers, 20 wushu tao lu fighters, 34 taekwondo fighters, 25 pencak silat fighters, 23 wrestlers and 18 archers.

From the end of this month, they will be joined by their counterparts from the provinces, who will take up residence in the training centre in Sikeuth village, where they will also take part in warm-up competitions and other events.

Meanwhile, the National University of Laos will host 34 petanque players and trainers at its purpose-built centre. The team will live on-site during training.

Twenty-nine muay lao fighters and trainers will train and live at the Sokxay camp, while 19 table tennis players and trainers will be accommodated at the Lao Table Tennis Federation's live-in training centre.

The 29 judo fighters and trainers are in preparation at the national camp and living at the Lao Judo Federation's own accommodation.

At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, the Lao team won five gold medals in petanque, judo and muay events, seven silver medals in taekwondo, wushu, judo, boxing and muay events, and 32 bronze medals in muay, sepak takraw, wrestling, taekwondo, wushu, petanque, judo, boxing, karatedo, pencak silat and rugby.

The 25th SEA Games will feature competitions in athletics, swimming, diving, water polo, archery, badminton, billiards and snooker, boxing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karate-do, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball, weight lifting, wrestling, wushu, muay, pensak silat, petanque, fin swimming and shuttlecock.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

The Lao Golf Federation says the new golf course in Phokham village (km18) in Xaythany district where the SEA Games' golf tournament will take place is now 80 percent complete. A new golf course for use in the SEA Games is being built in Phokham village (km18) in Xaythany district.

Construction began in January 2008 and the three nine-hole courses will be finished by May. Only two will be used for the SEA Games.

The Booyoung Company of Korea invested about 50 billion kip (US$5 million) for construction of the 27-hole international standard golf course, which is being built on about 150 hectares of land.

Federation President Songkham Silaphet still hopes the company and the Lao government will seal the 2,250 metre road around the course and install lighting.

The federation is having difficulty clearing land around the course because some people have not yet left their homes to make way for construction.

Mr Songkham said the course would be completed in May as long as the plans did not change.

The federation says it will be able to maintain the grass on the golf course ahead of the games, despite the hot, dry weather.

Golfing events at the games comprise men's and women's singles and men's and women's teams.

The Youth Garden Golf Course at Km 14 in Hadxaifong district is not at the standard needed for international tournament play, but is where the Lao team is training in preparation for December.

Although the medal winning chances for Laos are meagre as the team lacks international experience, the federation is still hopeful of a good performance.

The federation is looking for a professional coach to train the team.

The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, based in Australia , will provide financial assistance for the Lao golf team to participate at the games.

Booyoung signed a contract with the Asean Civil Road and Bridge Construction Company of Laos to design and create the golf course. The company will also build amenities such as a restaurant and hotel, to attract tourists.

After the close of the games, the Booyoung Company will extend the course by an additional 60 hectares, to make a total of 210 hectares and 45 holes.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

(KPL) 25 Sport events of the 2009 SEA Games to be held in Vientiane in December and will have to compete in eight stadiums, which the Sport Committee in currently is preparing the places for fan club to cheer their athletes.The first stadium will be the new sport stadium (Central Stadium) in Saythany district, which will use to be the competition place for men football, track & field, swimming-jumping, archery, badminton, shooting, indoor-beach volleyball and golf.

The second point at the National University of Laos (Dong Dok campus) will have women football, petanque, wrestling, taekwondo, table tennis and weightlifting. The third point at the Lao-ITECC including sepak trakor, wushu and pencak silat.
The fourth stadium at the Chao Anou Stadium that will be competed in qualify round of men football, tennis, judo and karatedo.The fifth point will have only cycling, which will start at the Patouxay-to Tardthong and Dan Soung.

The sixth point at the Don Chan Palace Hotel for billiard and snooker competitions.The seventh place at the Vientiane Sport and Gymnastic Department (Buengkhayong) in Sisattanak district to be competed in Mouay Lao and shuttle cock
The last stadium will take place at the Army Stadium in Km 5 will have men football in qualify round.

As we known all stadiums for the 2009 Sea games already and the sport committee need to invite all people around the country go to cheer Lao athletes as well, and hope that all people will be an important encourage to the athletes in creating the famous for the Lao PDR.

Pepsi agrees on SEA Games sponsorship deal



The Pepsi division of Lao Soft Drink Company yesterday signed an agreement with the Phetchampa Advertising Company to become an official partner of the 25th SEA Games which will be hosted by Laos this December.

The company agreed to contribute more than 4.5 billion kip (US$500,000) to the games via the Phetchampa Advertising Company to select sponsors and manage advertising for the games.

The agreement was signed between Lao Soft Drink Managing Director, Mr Sounthone Sirisack, and Phetchampa Advertising Company Director, Mr Khamoui Keomany.

“Since Lao Soft Drink Company was established we have supported many social activities around the country, especially in sports development,” Mr Sounthone said.

“Today we would like to thank the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) for receiving us as an official partner of the SEA Games. It is a very big honour for our company to have the opportunity to support the games and promote our company and Pepsi to participants and spectators.”

Mr Khamoui said the advertising company aimed to secure at least eight official partners for the games, each contributing a minimum of 4.2 billion kip.

“Pepsi is the third company to become an official partner for the games, following on from the Lao Brewery Company and the Thai Football Factory Sporting Goods Company,” Mr Khamoui said.

“We are currently in discussions with another five overseas companies regarding their applications to become official partners and we hope to complete those discussions soon.”

According to the Phetchampa Advertising Company, an official partner has the rights to use the games logo and mascot on its products and other promotional materials until the event ends. Official partners will also advertise at competition and training arenas under the rules set by LAOSOC in accordance with international regulations.

Vientiantimes

First check of SEA Games complex set for April


Photo: The SEA Games main stadium as it looked last month, with construction now about 80 percent complete.

All facilities at the 25th SEA Games sports complex are now more than 80 percent complete, site manager Kiengkham Phoutchanhthavongsa said yesterday.

“We are confident that construction of all venues at the site will be finished by the end of March. We are now putting the finishing touches to the facilities at each venue, installing furniture and building roads around the complex,” he said.

“When construction is finished, there will be three months of checks of the facilities at all venues in the complex to make sure everything is functioning properly. The schedule of tests runs from April to June, after which we will hand over the complex to the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee.”

The 125-hectare sports complex is located in Dongsanghine village, Xaythany district, Vientiane , and houses the main stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000, which will be used for the football and track and field events and for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Other venues at the site comprise two indoor stadiums, each with a seating capacity of 3,000, an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and a shooting range.

Construction began on October 28, 2007, under a contract with the China Yunnan Construction Engineering Group Corporation. The cost of construction is more than US$80 million and has been arranged through a joint cooperation project between the Lao government and the China Development Bank.

The upgrading of other facilities, including indoor and football stadiums to be used for competition and training, is also in progress.

Meanwhile, work has finished on a new sports training centre on an 11-hectare site in Sikeud village, Naxaithong district.

The centre cost more than 35 billion kip (US$4 million) to build, financed by grant aid from the government of Vietnam . An opening ceremony will be held on January 18.

The centre comprises an office, sleeping quarters for athletes, a running track and playing field, a football pitch, a gymnasium and other facilities for sporting events. Up to 200 athletes will be able to train there every day.

Construction is also in progress on the athletes' village, which is located on a 42,000sqm site at the Dongdok campus, National University of Laos. It is scheduled for completion in August.

By Sisay Vilaysack

Vietnam's aquatic sports association sends coaches to Laos

HANOI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Aquatic Sports Association will send experts to train Lao swimmers for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos, local newspaper Vietnam News reported on Wednesday.

Swimming coach Nguyen Manh Tuan, who competed at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, said he would help Lao athletes to sharpen their skills.

The SEA Games is expected to take place next December. The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam has agreed to finance 100,000 U.S. dollars for the SEA Games opening ceremony.

SEA Games countdown at Chao-anouvong stadium



The official venue for the launch of the countdown to the 25th SEA Games will be Chao-anouvong stadium in Anou village of Chanthbouly district, according to the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC).


The LNSC's publication ‘Sports Daily News' yesterday reported the ceremony was being organised by the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Vientiane Administration Office.

The countdown ceremony will be held on December 31 and will be attended by high-ranking government officials, as well as being open to the public.

The ceremony will commence at 6.30 pm and run until 1am on January 1, 2009. Attendees will not only be able to enjoy the New Year celebrations and the launch of the countdown to the 2009 SEA Games, but also a show from Miss SEA Games contestants, performances by various artists, and a dazzling fireworks display.

The event will also feature the selection of the final 11 Miss SEA Games ambassadors who will lead athletes of each country into the stadium during the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.

A countdown clock to be placed at the Talat Sao Shopping Mall is currently being prepared, according to the games' major sponsor Lao Brewery Company.

Last month the SEA Games Federation approved 390 events in 25 sports for the games which will run from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane .

The games will involve athletes from the 11 nations of Laos , Vietnam , Cambodia , Brunei , Thailand , Malaysia , Indonesia , Myanmar , Philippines , Singapore , and Timor Leste, which will be making its SEA Games debut.

The games aim to promote friendship, solidarity and understanding between countries in the region, while promoting sport and providing an opportunity for athletes to compete in order to improve their performances at the Asian Games and Olympic Games.

By Sisay Vilaysack

Photo: Mr Somsavat Lengsavad speaks at the sports committee's office.

Athlete transport and accommodation, public health and media coverage were some of the items on the agenda of the Lao National Sports Committee when it met yesterday to discuss preparations for the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The SEA Games will be held in Vientiane in December 2009, marking the first time Laos has hosted the event.

SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman and Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, spoke at the meeting and said Lao people would be proud the country was capable of planning such a large sporting event.

“Our target is to win 25 gold medals, but the athletes will have to win fairly,” he said.

“We will not stand for any cheating, especially involving drugs. If we find out that any referee has been biased then we will reprimand them.”

More than 700 cars and buses will be used to transport athletes and officials during the SEA Games, which will run from December 9-18.

Mr Somsavat said transport links were currently being upgraded and the new national football stadium in Xaythany district of Vientiane was finished and ready to use.

Lao sports officials are now selecting the best athletes in their respective sports, and China has offered to train some Lao athletes ahead of the event.

Away from the sporting field, the committee will make its final selection of female ambassadors for the SEA Games on New Year's Eve, when it will crown a number of young women with the title of Miss SEA Games.

The committee will meet again on Friday to discuss the budget for the games.

Also attending the meeting was Minister to the Prime Ministers Office and Lao National Sports Committee President, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom, and other deputy ministers.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Officials from the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee and Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sport met on Wednesday in Vientiane to discuss preparations for the 2009 SEA Games. –Photo Sisay

The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) met with delegates from the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Vientiane on Wednesday to discuss progress on preparations for the 25th SEA Games.

The meeting was chaired by Lao National Sports Committee Vice President, Mr Somphou Phongsa, and the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports' Permanent Secretary Dr Sasithara Pichaichannarong.

The two sides discussed preparations for the games including the compilation of competition technical teams, construction of training and competition facilities, traffic and transport arrangements, volunteer organisers, television broadcasting and accommodation for athletes and officials.

Thai officials reported on the progress of an indoor stadium upgrade which the Thai government is providing 43 billion kip (179 million baht) funding for. The stadium in Beungkhayong village, Sisattanak district of Vientiane will host the shuttlecock and muay events during the games.

The facility is on track for completion in October next year, the meeting was told.

Mr Somphou, on behalf of LAOSOC, thanked the Thai government for its support in upgrading the Beungkhayong indoor stadium and other preparations for the event, which will be held in December 2009.

“In preparing for the games we have also received generous support from other neighbouring countries including Vietnam and China ,” he said.

Last month a meeting of the SEA Games Federation decreed the event would consist of 390 events across the 25 sports of athletics, aquatic sports (swimming, diving and water polo), archery, badminton, billiards and snooker, boxing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and soft tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, muay, fin swimming, petanque, shuttlecock and pencak silat.

Competition venues are the national sports complex at Km 16 in Dongsanghin village, Xaythany district; Don Chan Palace; Booyoung and Olympasia indoor stadiums at the National University of Laos; Lao International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre; Chao-anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district; the Army stadium at Km 5 and the Vientiane Sports Department in Beungkhayong village, Sisattanak district.



By Sisay Vilaysack

Patuxay clock will count down to SEA Games


Photo: Victory gate or Patouxay in the heart of Vientiane, Laos

A clock will be installed at the Patuxay Monument in Vientiane on New Year's Eve to start the countdown to the SEA Games in December next year.

Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Bouangeun Saphouvong said the installation of the clock would be a spectacular event and would also include the official presentation of 100 Miss SEA Games representatives to the public.

“We have already set up a committee to organise the event. The start of the countdown will be one of the biggest events ever staged at Patuxay,” he said.

Several songs composed especially for the SEA Games will also be introduced to the public for the first time on New Year's Eve.

Mr Bouangeun said popular older and younger singers would be invited to take part in the celebrations.

Members of the public and VIP guests can reserve tables at the event, which will feature a variety of entertainment shows and activities. Mascots and SEA Games souvenirs will be on sale during the evening.

More than 180 women applied to be Miss SEA Games, and the committee has chosen 100 of them to participate in the games next year. They will be trained how to interact with and greet guests politely, walk elegantly, speak English, and acquire general knowledge in preparation for the event.

Eleven country placard bearers will be selected from the 100 representatives to take part in the stadium parade that precedes the games.

After the countdown clock is installed, fireworks will light up the sky to mark the occasion and bring in the New Year.

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
Vientianetimes

Hongthong to be developed night market for SEA Games 2009


Photo: Famous night market in Luang Prabang, northern Laos

(KPL) Domestic and foreign investors are constructing a night market in Hong Thong, Chanthaboury district, Vientiane Capital.

“At present, only 20 per cent of the construction has been carried out but we believe it will complete before the opening of the Vientiane Games in 2009,” said this week Mr. Phouvong Phamisith, the project manager.

The construction is being carried out on an area of 17,720 sq m occupying the land of Ban Sailom and Ban Thong Khankham Tay, Chanthaboury district.

The development costs around 45 billion kip. The market would feature handicrafts, souvenir shops, beauty salons, traditional food restaurants and traditional music gigs.

ANZ Bank supports Lao taekwondo team


Mr Vilay Douangmany (left) and Mr Kerrod Thomas shake hands at the Lao National Sports Committee office.

Seven male and five female Lao taekwondo fighters will be aiming to win at least two gold medals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane next year.

The ANZ Vientiane Commercial Bank will provide funding to assist the Lao taekwondo team from this December up until the SEA Games.

The squad has been training at the national camp in Vientiane under the instruction of Mr Kim, a South Korean taekwondo trainer, since the middle of this year.

The Lao Taekwondo Federation held a signing ceremony with federation President, Mr Vilay Douangmany, and ANZ Vientiane Manager Director, Mr Kerrod Thomas, at the Lao National Sports Committee office yesterday. The event was attended by committee officials and Lao taekwondo fighters.

Mr Vilay thanked the bank for sponsoring the taekwondo team and expressed confidence the team would win gold medals at the games.

Mr Kerrod said taekwondo was popular in Laos and many young people were becoming interested in the sport after Lao fighters won medals in international events last year.

The federation will select the best fighters from the eighth National Games to be held in Champassak province in December to participate in the SEA Games.

The national squad will train in South Korea early next year.

The taekwondo event at the SEA Games will have eight men's categories (54kg and 58-84kg) and eight women's categories (47kg and 51-72kg).

The federation's best male fighter is Mr Savathvilay Phimmasone, who won a bronze medal in the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Zhengzhou district, China , last May.

At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand last December, the Lao national team won one silver medal and five bronze medals.

Vientianetimes