25th SEA Games, Laos

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

(KPL) Vice-President of Lao National Golf Federation, Mr Songkharm Silaphet recently confirmed during a press conference held at the SEA Games Golf Club Site Office that national golfers would be able to train on a new golf course in preparation for the SEA Games.

A new golf course is being built in Xaythany district and scheduled to be ready for the coming SEA Games in December.

Managing Director of Global Turf Consulting Company, Mr Gary Chatfield, said that regarding the planting of grass on the course and other forms of golf course construction work, the company faced difficulties and this had delayed work.

He said, During the rainy season the ground was so soft that we could not use any of the heavy machinery to carry out outdoor work.

Moreover Booyoung Company of Korea, the investor that forked out USD5 million, made some changes to the layout and design of the course, thus causing another delay,・he added.

However, there is a positive side and it is the fact that while a new golf course normally has only immature trees, but for this course there are already in place some rather big trees and so when it is operational these trees will give the impression that it is a mature course and has been functioning for five or six years,said Mr Chatfield.

Another reason for the delay is that the clearing of land around the course was held up because some people were still occupying the houses in the area (150 hectares) slated for the construction of the course.

Mr Songkharm said, This 27-hole international standard golf course will also have a clubhouse, a driving range and a restaurant and sure it will be the first international standard golf course in Laos.

The Lao Golf Federation says the new golf course in Phokham village (at km18) in Xaythany district is almost ready (80 per cent completion).

The federation said it would be able to maintain the grass and ensure that it is green during the SEA Games period in spite of the dry weather in December. For the coming SEA Games, the golfing sector would be made up of individual men and women competitors and men and women golfing teams.

Today, we have 10 golfers in training - 4 females and 6 males - but soon two of them will be eliminated,・Mr Songkharm said.

The Lao national taekwondo team will be aiming to show off their improved techniques in the poom sa (artistic) event at the RDC Taekwondo Championship in Bangkok , Thailand , on June 20-21.

More than 50 taekwondo federations at the international level will attend the championship.

The Lao Taekwondo Federation will send seven male and four female fighters to compete in the poom sa event.

Lao taekwondo coach Mr Chanthavong Panyasily said he wanted to test the team's skill as they prepare for a stab at a medal at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

The Lao poom sa team won a bronze medal in the 9th Asean Taekwondo Championship in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam , from June 4-7.

Meanwhile the federation will send four male and four female fighters in different divisions to compete in standard competition at the championship in Bangkok .

Some of the best Lao fighters will not compete in the championship after sustaining injuries at the championship in Vietnam . The team won a gold and two silver medals in the event.

The injured fighters will be replaced for the Bangkok event.

Mr Chanthavong said the Lao taekwondo team was hopeful of winning gold medals in Bangkok because they were fit enough.

At the RDC championship in Bangkok last year, the Lao team won six gold, two silver and five bronze medals from the fighting discipline of taekwondo.

Lao taekwondo coach Mr Chang Kuk Park and the team will go to Bangkok today.

The team will continue training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district, on their return from Thailand .

The federation will select a squad to train in South Korea from July to September.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientiane

Closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) are being installed in Vientiane to keep a watch on public security and prepare for the SEA Games.

CCTV officials from the Police Command Centre Project under the Ministry of Defence will install 100 cameras in the first phase, along Road No. 1 from Wattay International Airport to Namphou fountain and at other places, such as major hotels.

Installation of the cameras is taking place from March until September, when they will become operational.

Chief Technical Official Phonekeo Khamphilavong said yesterday project officials had dug more than 30 holes in places where the cameras would be installed. He said the cameras were needed to protect the public against security threats.

“Due to insufficient numbers of police officers, we need to install cameras to maintain social order,” he said.

Mr Phonekeo hopes the cameras will be monitored responsibly as surveillance staff will have to react quickly and coordinate a response to incidents as they arise.

The cameras are also part of government plans to professionalise the police force by introducing more advanced technology in public security activities.

“This work is new for us. We expect it will help us to get a more accurate picture of what is occurring on the streets, particularly in overseeing traffic and anti-social behaviour.”

Initially project officials intended to hang the cameras from street lights, but discovered the lamp-posts could not support the weight of the cameras.

Now the cameras will be installed in appropriate locations near to street lights and traffic signs.

“If a camera is malfunctioning we will be responsible for fixing it, but if someone damages it or a vehicle crashes into it we will seek compensation through the appropriate channels,” Mr Phonekeo said.

After installation in the capital, CCTV is planned for the provinces, but possible new locations have not yet been made public.

Mr Phonekeo expressed his apologies to motorists inconvenienced by the installation of the cameras.

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
Vientianetimes

(KPL) Up to date, the construction of the SEA Games Stadium, located at Km16 in Saythany district , an important facility to be used for the opening and closing ceremonies of this regional sporting event, has achieved 90 per cent completion and this was said by the Head of SEA Game?s Stadium Construction Project, Mr Khiengkham Phoutchanthavongsa on 14 May.

Minister to Prime Minister?s Office, President of National Sports Committee and Vice President of SEA Game?s Organising Committee, Dr Phouthong Seng-Akhom who visited the SEA Games 2009 Stadium said that the rest of the work are the entire decoration of the stadium, electrical installation and the laying of carpet grass.

Dr Phouthong said, ?Some people don?t understand the entire process and mistakenly believe the construction will not be completed before the games, but since 90 per cent of it has been completed so that the handover date can be as early as September.

Other indoor and outdoor courts, located in Chao-Anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthaboury district, International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Beungkhayong stadium and National University of Laos are all at the stage of near completion.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and President of the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC), Dr Phouthong Seng Akhom, spoke to media yesterday in Vientiane about the opportunities available to Laos when it hosts the 25th SEA Games later this year.

The event is an opportunity for Laos , as the host nation, to increase solidarity and friendship amongst Southeast Asian nations, he said.

“Of course we'd like to get many medals like previous hosts of the games have, but our main target is to boost relations and solidarity between the countries involved and Laos .”

At many of the previous games the host nation has topped the medal tally. Laos will do its best to continue this trend but a big medal haul is not the only measurement of success.

“Lao athletes are still amateurs, not professionals like most in the region. Most of our athletes are students or government officials who love to play sport. At these games we hope to gain experience from other athletes visiting our country,” Dr Phouthong said. He said hosting the games was important for political matters, foreign affairs issues and socio-economic and cultural development as well as national security and promoting a peaceful society.

The 25th SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane, involving 390 events in 25 sports including 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.

LNSC reported logistical preparations for the games have begun in addition to infrastructure construction.

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.

“We have received reports from each committee regarding their preparation efforts and some areas are close to completion while others need further work,” Dr Phouthong said.

LNSC reported on the construction of five stadiums to be used for the games, including progress on the main 20,000-seat stadium in Dongsanghin village, Xaythany district, which will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies.

“Some people don't understand the entire process and mistakenly believe construction will not be completed before the games, but it is actually already 90 percent complete and facilities will be handed over to the relevant committees in September,” Dr Phouthong said. Other indoor and outdoor courts at Chao-anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district, the International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Beungkhayong stadium and facilities at the National University of Laos are also close to completion and are waiting to be fitted out with sports equipment.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

The newest jewel in the crown of Vientiane 's sporting facilities has been set in place, with construction of the city's indoor stadium declared complete by the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC).

The indoor stadium will host tennis, volleyball and badminton events at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane from December 9-18.

It is located in Dongsanghin village in Xaythany district (Km16).

Construction Project Manager for the SEA Games, Mr Khiengkham Phoutchanhthavongsa, said turf would be laid in the grounds outside the indoor stadium, and inside the national football stadium in the wet season.

Construction of the National Football Stadium is 90 percent complete and will be used in the opening and closing ceremonies.

Installation of sporting equipment at the swimming pool, shooting stadium and archery stadium continues apace.

He said athletes in all 25 sports would be able to use the sports complex in October in preparation for games.

LAOSOC began the sports complex construction project on October 28, 2007.

Meanwhile both the new indoor stadium and old indoor stadium in Beungkhayong village, Sisattanak district, are under development.

The Thai government is funding the construction of the new stadium and is also helping to improve the old stadium, at a cost of more than 20 billion kip (85 million baht).

Construction began last February and is expected to be finished in October.

The new indoor stadium has 1,500 seats, and will host the kick-boxing events.

The old stadium will be used to host competitions in shuttlecock.

More than 60 Lao workers have been joined by 70 Thai labourers to work on the stadium projects.

The old indoor stadium at the Vientiane Sports Department has long held competitions in muay lao, in addition to Lao Volleyball Federation fixtures.

Meanwhile, the Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Anou village, Chanthabouly district, is being built with grant aid from the Japanese government, valued at 56 billion kip.

Construction began last December, and is set for completion in October.

The Budo Centre will host competitions in the martial arts such as karatedo and judo.

Competition venues for the SEA Games are the National Football Stadium, Don Chan Palace , Olympasia indoor stadium at the National University of Laos, Patuxay monument and surrounding streets, Chao Anouvong football stadium, Lao-ITECC, Km 18 golf course, and Beungkhayong village's indoor stadium.

The National University 's football stadium, assembly hall, Phonesavanh School and the Taekwondo Training Centre will also host events.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

KOICA present Swimming Supplies for 25th SEA Game

(KPL) Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) donated swimming supplies to National Swimming Federation for the best record in the 25th Southeast Asia Games.

Hand over ceremony was held on April 30, Vientiane, which the aid was handed over by Ms. Hong Hee Soo, Vice Resident Representative of KOICA, to Mr. Phankham Vongkhanty, Vice President of National Swimming Federation.

The swimming equipments include swimming suits, caps and etc for Lao National Swimming Team worth about US$ 1,900.

Mr. Phankham expressed thanks to KOICA and Korea Oversea Volunteer (KOV) for providing assistance to Laos, he also hoped KOV would further support assistance in the future.

Since 2001, KOICA has been running cooperation programs and has dispatched 187 KOVs to 10 provinces of Lao PDR. At present, 49 volunteers including four doctors, five experts are carrying out their mission and working with in 37 governmental organizations. And KOICA allocated approximately 10 million US dollars to Lao PDR in this year for various cooperation programs.

A member of the Lao national badminton team, Mr Phonepasith Phengsengchan, 19, is hopeful of winning a medal at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

Mr Phonepasith won a gold medal in the male junior doubles at the Kason Bangkok Chiang Mai Badminton Tournament 2005 in Thailand , which involved six countries.

He is currently training with the national squad at the Police Indoor Courts under the guidance of a Chinese coach. The team will move to the Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district, in August.

He said neighbouring countries such as Thailand and China have some of the best badminton players in the world and it will be difficult for him to defeat them at the games.

Mr Phonepasith won a gold medal in the men's team (three players) event at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, where he represented Saravan province.

His most recent success was a bronze medal in the men's singles open category at the Vientiane Governor's Cup held at the Thanong-at indoor court last week.

He is in his first year at the National University of Laos and began playing badminton when in lower secondary school.

Last Sunday, Mr Phonepasith won the KT Badminton Club's President's Cup by defeating his friend Mr Phanthavouth Sisomdeth 2-1 (15-10, 11-15, 15-11).

He has been training with the club since 2004. The club has many young players in the national team.

The club finished with the number one ranking at the eighth National Assembly President's Cup two years ago.

Former national players are also involved in training youngsters at the club.

The president's cup comprises senior male doubles, A and B level male doubles and the men's open singles.

The KT Badminton Club will host the cup on December 25 to celebrate the club's establishment.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

More than 2,900 schoolchildren from the nation's capital took part in a rehearsal on Saturday for performances at the SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies.

Pupils from Vientiane Secondary School , Nongbone, Nonsavang, That Luang, Xaysettha, and Donenoun secondary schools, Nongnieng Lower Secondary School and the primary school of the National University of Laos will be training every Saturday until the start of the SEA Games in December. The games run from December 9-18.

The performances are being coordinated through the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Vientiane Education Department.

From October to December, the children will practise at school every day under instruction from their teachers.

On Saturdays they will rehearse at Chao Anouvong football stadium from 8 to 11am and again from 2 to 4pm. The children will perform modern and traditional dances.

In December, they will move to the National Football Stadium at Km16, where they will rehearse three times before the games.

Those taking part in the rehearsals will need to rearrange their school terms. They will start the school year on July 1, and have their first exams in October. They will have their second exam after the games are over. They will have rehearsals after lessons each day.

Head of the General Education Section of the Vientiane Education Department, Mr Southany Saignasane, said the children were enthusiastic about their rehearsals and their parents supported their participation.

Mr Southany said teachers at each school were teaching the children about the various sports to be included in the games, and telling them about 11 South East Asian countries that will compete.

It is hoped the rehearsals will encourage the children to learn to be sociable, friendly and outgoing, and not afraid to put their best foot forward during the games showpiece ceremonies.

More than 400 children at the primary school of the National University of Laos will perform the Anakhotsotsay dance, which is said to lead to a good future.

The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee said this school had been chosen for rehearsals because it has a large shady field.

It is also fairly easy for children to get from here to the National Football Stadium for dress rehearsals and performances.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

A bright medal prospect for Laos at the up-coming 25th SEA Games is 20-year-old wushu fighter Khammay.

It will be Khammay's first international event but she is confident of taking home one of the three medals on offer in the women's 53kg category wushu event when the games kick off on December 9.


She has experience in both muay lao and wushu but decided to concentrate on wushu in the hope of increasing her chances of winning a medal at the games.

Khammay has been in training with the national squad at the Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district, for the past three months.

There are currently four female wushu fighters in the national squad, which is training hard for the games.

Khammay won a silver medal in the women's muay lao event at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, where she represented the Ministry of National Defence.

After her success the Lao Wushu Federation approached her about joining the national wushu team to prepare for the SEA Games.

Khammay was born and raised in Songkhone district, Savannakhet province, where she graduated from secondary school.

Last year she began muay lao training in Vientiane and competed regularly in muay lao tournaments at the Sokxay ring in Dongpalaeb village, Chanthabouly district.

She said she will continue training in both muay lao and wushu after competing in the games and hopes to take part in many international tournaments in the future.

At the Vientiane Muay Lao Competition at the National Circus ring tonight, Khammay will face Khuanchaysikhot camp's Thinnakone in the women's 53 kg division.

This is the first time the two fighters have met competitively and Khammay is expected to win as her opponent is new to the muay lao discipline.

Khammay twice beat Longsan from Phetphengkhuan camp at the Vientiane Sports Department's ring last year.

In the top bout of the men's 52 kg division, Army camp's Kavy will fight Thomat from Sitlatsamy camp.

Kavy has a background in muay lao, but is currently training with the national wushu squad in the hope of representing Laos at the SEA Games.

Other bouts scheduled for tonight:

30 kg: Athit (Sorthibphakone) vs Koukiet (Khuanchaysikhot).

40 kg: Seua-noy (Sitlatsamy) vs Nindam (IO-din).

62 kg: Phonexay (Khuanchaysikhot) vs Sengphet (Sit-aly).

48 kg: Dou-sith (Phetphengkhuan) vs Manydeng (Loukbandoung).

52 kg: Laembo (Sorsingkham) vs Sayamnoy (Sorthibphakone).

The ST-Group Company Ltd, distributors of the M-150 energy drink, is supporting the friendly competition by providing kick-boxers with cash prizes for participating in the event.

by: Vientianetimes

The Lao Petanque Federation (LPF) is confident Lao sport's fans will see the national flag raised in victory at the petanque arena during the 25th SEA Games, which will take place in Vientiane from December 9 to 18.

This year, Laos is confident of winning more gold medals in petanque, after claiming one gold in the 2001 ( Malaysia ) and 2003 ( Vietnam ) SEA Games and two gold medals in each of the 2005 ( Philippines ) and 2007 ( Thailand ) games.

There will be 11 gold medals up for grabs in this year's games, with the Lao team hoping to claim at least four of them.

LPF President Khammoui Keomany said on Thursday “Despite claiming just two gold medals at each of the last two games, we are aiming to win four this year with the support of our home crowd.”

“However, we face strong rivals from Cambodia , Vietnam and Thailand , who are world champions. But I believe our team can successfully retain their two golds from 2007 and claim another two.”

“The federation will invite a preliminary squad to begin training early next month, with a final squad to be announced a month before the games begin,” said Mr Khammoui.

“From previous experience we have found that selecting a preliminary squad ensures that all the team members train hard right up until the event starts because they want to ensure they have the opportunity to represent their country.”

LPF is also working to improve the skills of petanque referees in the lead-up to the games. This week the federation sent 10 referees to a three-day training course in Thailand organised by the World Petanque Federation.

The federation will select Lao referees attending the course to adjudicate at this year's games.

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes

Mr. Olan Sihalat, a Pencak Silat athlete from Laos, the bronze medalist from the 24th SEA Games in Thailand, is ready to fight for gold in the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos 2009.

Mr. Olan is now at the training center (Sikeut) in preparing for the SEA Games. He mentioned that he is now improving alot in both physical and metal conditions, thanks to all the coaches, friends and family who always support him. "I have to practice harder to complete with the stronger team from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. I will try my best to get gold medal for Laos", said Olan.

(KPL) Though many sports bodies are short of cash but they are determined to send as many athletes as they can to for training at the Sports Training Centre, Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district.

They are also scouting for other training facilities in Vientiane and the prospect of sending athletes to be trained in neighbouring countries and all such efforts on their part are to give the promising Lao athletes the best preparation to compete in the coming SEA Games at the end of the year.

These problems were brought out during a meeting held in the Prime Ministers Office on 30 ApriL and its main theme is to discuss and make decisions on the progress report of the work of the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) and the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC).

The meeting was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of LAOSOC, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, LNSC President, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom, heads of sports bodies and senior officials from LNSC.

During this meeting all the sports bodies that are training athletes to compete for the coming SEA Games submitted proposals on their funding needs to LNSC.

On this occasion, Mr Somsavat said he was focused on using seven billion kip budget to buy sports equipment, to give allowances to athletes, to pay money to athletes for taking part in practice sessions and for other reasonable obligations.

Currently, various sports bodies, such as tennis, golf, karatedo, judo, muay lao and taekwondo are being funded by companies and international organisations.

However, there are sports bodies that do not have any company sponsor and they are searching high and low for sponsors to get funding and two of them are national women?s football team and Lao Cycling Federation.

Referring to the good work of the sports bodies, Mr Somsavat said they are always on the lookout to give assistance to athletes who have problems with their education and family.

Taking this into consideration, he added that the sports bodies are bent on doing their level best to give the athletes top notch preparation for the SEA Games and hopefully to win medals for Laos.

Mr Somsavat also said that while the national sepak takraw squad is currently training in Savannakhet province but there is a plan to transfer its centralized training venue, from October onwards, to the indoor stadium of Lao-ITECC, Vientiane.

Tennis players test their power at Theun-Hinboun tournament

Lao tennis players are putting their skills to the test at the eighth Theun-Hinboun Tournament at the Vientiane Tennis Club from April 29 to May 28.

More than 100 tennis players from Vientiane and Savannakhet and Champassak provinces are competing in the tournament.

The Lao Tennis Federation (LTF) has entered seven male and four female players in the tournament.

The tournament's opening ceremony took place on Wednesday and was attended by Vice President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Mr Somphou Phongsa, senior officials from the committee and tournament sponsors.

The tournament consists of events for U-12s, 15s and 17s, an open category in A, B and C grades, an open doubles event and over 55s' doubles.

General Manager of Theun-Hinboun Power Company, Mr Robert Allen, presented US$4,000 to LTF President, Mr Houmphone Bouliyaphon, at the ceremony.

Mr Houmphone said the tournament is a friendly event which aims to promote participation and fitness and was organised to coincide with the 123rd anniversary of International Labour Day on May 1.

He said the tournament will also help national players in their preparations for the 25th SEA Games, to be held in Vientiane from December 9-18.

Laos has never won a medal in tennis at the SEA Games level.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The Lao national karatedo team is training in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to boost its medal chances at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

The squad departed from Vientiane on April 26 and will return in June before competing in the Phuket Thailand Open from June 4-9 and attending an international competition in Bangkok , Thailand , in July.

Senior Consultant with the Lao Karatedo Federation and Director of the Shotokan Karatedo Club, Mr Sonesak Nhansana, said the team will win medals in both upcoming events.

Eleven male and five female karatedo fighters and two coaches are training in Vietnam and they all have previous experience at the SEA Games level.

The federation plans to select 10 of its best fighters to compete in both the singles and team dancing and fighting events at the open.

At last year's Thailand Open the Lao team won a silver and a bronze medal.

Inkhatheb Saythansavanh won a bronze medal in the men's 70kg division at the 24th SEA Games and hopes to compete at the open.

Mr Inkhatheb won a gold medal in the fighting (kumite) event of the men's 70kg category and a silver medal in the open event at the eighth National Games, held in Champassak province last December where he represented Borikhamxay province.

Ms Chansouda is another promising prospect after winning gold medals in the fighting and open events and a silver in the dancing (kata) event at the national games.

The karatedo event at the SEA Games will consist of seven categories for men (55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg and 80kg) and four weight divisions for female fighters (48kg, 53kg, 60kg and over 60kg).

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

(KPL) Prime Minister Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh on Monday received a courtesy visit of Asia Olympic? s high ranking officials and Kuwaiti Government, led by the President of Asia Olympic Mr SHK Ahamad Al Fahad Sabah.

During their visit the Lao National Sport Committee, the Prime Minister Bouasone has congratulated and highly valued all the delegations for contribution in sport development in Laos as well as enhancing a cooperation and relationship between Laos and Kuwait.

On this occasion, the President of Asia Olympic also thanked Prime Minister Bouasone for his warm welcome and presented a highest honor medal to Prime Minister Bouasone and Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Standing Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Organising Committee for the 25th South East Asian Games 2009 (Vientiane Games).

Vientiane — Construction of a project to supply safe water for the sport complex for the up-coming 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 25th) began in Xaythany District, Vientiane, on Friday.

The Dongbang project, with an investment capital of US$10 million, is jointly built by Mai Dong company of Viet Nam and Vientiane Safe Water Supply Company.

Addressing the ceremony, Vientiane leaders pledged to create favourable conditions for the project, which will markedly contribute to developing infrastructure of the capital city and improving living conditions for local people. — VNS

(KPL) The preparation for 25th South East Asia Games which will be hosted by Laos at the end of this year, has so far nearly completed, especially the renovation of stadiums and roads in urban area.

Brewery continues to back Lao sport

The Lao Brewery Company, producer of Beerlao, announced the four major sports it intends to sponsor at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December.

It will support the four sports in which it feels Laos has the best medal hopes: football, muay lao, pétanque and taekwondo.

The company made the announcement at a press conference on April 10.

Company Managing Director Kissana Vongsay said all the staff at the company were proud to work for a company which was a major sponsor of the games and were fully supportive of Lao athletes.

“The company has contributed almost 20 billion kip towards games preparation, and we believe these funds will inspire all Lao people around the country to be of one heart, united in cheering on our athletes to glory at the games,” Mr Kissana said.

Also present at the announcement was Muay Lao Federation Secretary Phon Keochomsy. He said muay was a popular martial art in many countries of the world, and had been part of the SEA Games since 2004.

Laos achieved one gold and three silver medals at the games in the Philippines , and went on to secure one gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the last SEA Games, which were held in Thailand .



“This year Laos hosts the games so we are practising furiously to prepare our kick-boxers. We want to win as many medals as we can. We believe we can win at least four gold medals in December,” Mr Phon said.

For his part, Lao Football Federation President Phouvanh Vongsouthi said although the Lao football team's form had been less than encouraging of late, this time the Lao football team will fight to reach the semi-finals of the SEA Games.

“Our footballers are under 23 years old. Compared with other footballing nations in the region Lao football is still not strong enough, but I believe our team will do their best for the Lao people.”

Mr Phouvanh said the players were determined to improve their results and rise to the challenge as they will be on home soil. They were practising diligently both at home and abroad and the team is currently training in Vietnam .

Players of two other sports, pétanque and taekondo, also hold out hopes of medals for Laos .

A new Beerlao television commercial featuring leading muay lao kick-boxers was launched following the announcement.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes