25th SEA Games, Laos

Singapore 's men's water polo team was the surprise winner of the first gold medal of the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane yesterday.

The Singaporean side dominated, remaining unbeaten in the round robin tournament by beating Indonesia 14-5, thrashing the Philippines 8-1 and finishing the job with an 8-5 win over Thailand .

There were only four teams in the event this year; the Philippines took silver and Indonesia won bronze.

Results of men's water polo

December 5:

Singapore vs. Indonesia (14-5)

Philippines vs. Thailand (6-4)

December 6:

Singapore vs. Philippines (8-1)

Indonesia vs. Thailand (11-8)

December 7:

Philippines vs. Indonesia (13-8)

Singapore vs. Thailand (8-5)

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

Interest spikes for pre-games volleyball invitational

The nation's representative volleyballers' performances will be under close scrutiny as they line up against top teams from neighbouring countries.

Lao Volleyball Federation Secretary Sichanh Chittapanya said that while the country's top players had been training together since April, they had never been tested in competition.

“This event will be good for us in ascertaining their level and many other aspects of the game,” he said.

Thai and Vietnamese volleyball clubs will participate in the invitational event, to be held from November 4-6 at the National Stadium.

It will also be a test for both referees and the organising committee as they prepare for the 25th SEA Games next month.

There will be four teams participating in the test event including two men's teams from Laos , one from Thailand and one from Vietnam . Each team will have 12 men.

“We will see how strong the home side is, and this will be important for us as we learn from the experience of tackling these clubs,” he said.

The federation believes the men's volleyball team will be 100 percent fit for this event and promised to learn as much as possible from the experience in a bid to improve themselves prior to next month's main attraction.

The Lao side participated in previous SEA Games held in Vietnam and Thailand , but didn't find much success.

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

“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 this SEA Games,” he said.

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

The opening ceremony of the event will take place at the volleyball court at the National Stadium from 9 am, with the competition to continue through until 5 pm.

“This is free for spectators, so I would like to ask local people to come and cheer our athletes and give them encouragement,” Mr Sichanh said.

He said if locals supported the competition in the same way as they did the 4-Nations Football Tournament, the athletes would be lifted to greater performances on the day.


By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

The Lao men's volleyball team will train in China for one month in the lead-up to the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane later this year.

The team will commence their training camp in August or October.

The team's leader, Mr Khampheng Mitpaxa said the team will use the training camp to improve their techniques and tactics.

Mr Khampheng said the Lao Volleyball Federation will organise an international tournament in Vientiane in the lead-up to the games.

He said the federation is struggling with funding to organise both the tournament and the volleyball event during the SEA Games.

The Lao volleyball teams lack experience at the international level and will struggle to get past the first round of the event at the games, he said.

The male and female national volleyball teams are currently training hard at indoor courts in Nongtha village under the guidance of Chinese coach Mr Yin Ming.

The teams will soon commence training at the indoor stadium in Xaythany district two days per week after the Lao National Sports Committee finished its final inspections of the stadium recently.

The teams will use the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the stadium which will host the volleyball event during the games.

The federation plans to send both teams to train in Vietnam after the men's team return from China and will select two teams of twelve apiece to compete in the SEA Games.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes