25th SEA Games, Laos

The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (Lao SOC) has nearly completed preparations for the 25th SEA Games to be held in Vientiane from December 9-18.

The committee held a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday to report on preparation works on road construction projects, cleaning, security, marketing, transportation, electrical systems and logistics for athletes and teams.

The meeting was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Lao SOC, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, committee members and officials from the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC).

Most roads and buildings for the games are now complete; however a major road in Phontong village of Chanthabouly district is yet to be finished.

Mr Somsavat said the construction company responsible for the road has been urged to finish the project promptly.

Lao SOC has reached an agreement with Lao World Company to supply food to athletes during the games.

More than 5 billion kip has been set aside to ensure Vientiane remains ship-shape during the games.

Mr Somsavat said the games will be an historic event for Laos and provide a chance to showcase the nation's beautiful cultures and traditions.

LNSC is currently busy helping athletes improve their personal bests in various training camps. Teams are training at the National Sports Training Centre, the National University of Laos and overseas facilities.

Committee members also visited the game's athlete's village on Friday.

The village, based at the National University of Laos, is now complete after construction began in July 2008.

The Hoang Anh Gia Lai Company granted US$400,000 and lent US$5 million to the Lao government to build the village.

The committee is now overseeing the laying of grass and planting of trees and flowers around the village which will officially be opened in October.

Head of the Prime Minister's Office and Director of the Athlete's Village Construction Project, Dr Boviengkham Vongdara said the village was of a high standard and contained modern facilities to ensure the comfort of all athletes.

The furnished accommo-dation includes air conditioners, laundry facilities and hot water showers.

Lao SOC is looking to purchase further laundry equipment to install at the village.

Four thousand athletes and officials will stay in the eight four-storey dormitories during the games.


By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The SEA Games organising committee will start checks on the electrical system at the sports complex from July 15.

The committee and national sports federations will inspect the electrical system after work to bring it up to international standards is complete. Work began on the system in April this year.

The sports complex consists of the National Football Stadium, tennis courts, archery fields, swimming pool, shooting fields and indoor courts which will host the volleyball and badminton events.

Manager of the SEA Games Construction Project, Mr Khiengkham Phoutchanhthavong, said the sports complex will have a high-quality electrical system in place before the games begin.

The committee will soon designate a manager to be responsible for running operations at the football stadium and indoor courts during the games.

Chinese technicians on Saturday tested the scoreboard's electrical system, which has been manufactured in China .

On the same day, members of the National Assembly and the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) visited the complex to monitor construction progress.

LNSC Vice President, Mr Somphou Phongsa, said the football stadium and indoor courts are of high standard and have been surfaced with the finest imported materials.

LNSC and NA members also visited athletes' accommodation at the National University of Laos.

The Lao Badminton Federation will host the Lao International Challenge at the indoor courts at the end of July in a trial run of the facilities.

Officials are busy maintaining and preparing facilities at the football stadium and other arenas in the lead-up to the games.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The Lao long jump team is trying to improve on the national record during training at the National Sports Training Centre in the hope of winning medals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

The team consists of two members, both of whom won medals at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December.

Silver medallist Soulisak holds the current national record of 6.60 metres. He represented Vientiane at the National Games and will compete in the long jump and hurdle events at this year's SEA Games.

Bronze medallist Sipaseuth represented Borikhamxay province.

The gold medallist is unable to join the SEA Games team.

Long jump coach Sitthixay Sakpaseuth said if the athletes improve on their records they will have a good chance of winning medals at the games.

He said the squad will train in Thailand and test their technique in international level events in the lead-up to the games.

The team has been training at the Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village in Naxaithong district since April.

The Lao Amateur Athletic Federation plans to host a regional track and field competition in October to enable teams to hone their preparations for the games.

The event will be held at the National Football Stadium at Km 16 in Xaythany district.

A t the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, the Lao long jump team was unsuccessful in their quest to win a medal.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

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

Photo: Lao children practice Karate inside the Budo center in Vientiane, Laos.

(KPL) Lao-Japan Budo Centre to be used for Karatedo and Judo competitions in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane will be complete by this year’s end.

The centre is located on the land of former Chao Anou Secondary School near the old National Stadium, Chanthaboury district, Vientiane.This centre will comprise with one building of indoor stadium, which could receive up to 600 seats.

Head of International Sports Department and National Sports Committee Mr Soulasith Oupravanh last week said, “The Lao-Japan Budo Centre Construction Project is implemented with a financial grant from the Japanese Government, which is worth more than 600 million Japanese Yen. The construction started from October 2008 and 20 per cent of the work have been implemented so far.”

The centre is scheduled to complete September this year three months before the 25th SEA Games opening.

This sporting facilities will be used for not only karatedo and judo competitions but also for badminton, table tennis and trakaw competitions.

(KPL) Acting Head of the National Economic Research Institute claimed that the 25th SEA Games, to be held in December this year, would act as a stimulus to the national economy and thereby mitigates the adverse effects of the global economic turmoil.

Mr. Leeber Libuapao also said that the national economic growth is facing a big challenge this year because of the sharp drop in the export of goods.

Mr Leeber added that although the government has designed and implemented measures to try to minimise and overcome the effects of the global crisis but it would take at least a few months before one sees its positive effects.

He also said that the national economic recovery, due to commence in 2010, would only kick in if it coincides with the recovery of the world’s economy by next year and it means that if it would grow by one to two per cent in 2010.

However, the Asian Development Bank, in its press release yesterday, is upbeat on the Lao economy and stated that it would grow by 5.5 per cent this year and 5.7 per cent in 2010.

The acting head of NERI commented on the effects of the biggest hydropower project, Nam Theun Two, on the national economy and said that when it is operational in late 2009, it would generate income and this would not only mitigate the impact of the crisis but it can even boost national economic growth.

Mr. Leeber said that in order to get the Lao economy to grow one should get the consumers to spend and this is because national expense is always equal to national income and the government and people should be aware that consumers who retrench and save money would not be contributing to economic growth.

Local practitioners and teachers of aikido, judo and karate-do sports will have a second venue in which to practise their discipline next year.

A practice and performance hall (dojo) is being built at the Physical Education Teacher Training School (PETTS) at Thongpong village in Sikhottabong district.

The first venue for such sports was the Lao-Japan Budo Centre at Anou village, Chanthabouly district, currently in the second phase of construction.

The PETTS construction project begins from this month and will conclude in May, at a cost of about 758 million kip (US$88,495), which has been granted as aid from the Japanese government.

This school is the only one in the country focused solely on training physical education teachers, and has suffered from a shortage of proper facilities and equipment.

It is hoped that this project will help to rectify the situation.

A signing ceremony for the construction project was held in Vientiane on Wednesday, attended by PETTS Director, Mr Intong Leusinsay, and Japanese Ambassador to Laos , Mr Masaaki Miyashita.

Mr Miyashita said when it was built the facility would prove an important tool for trainee teachers' education.

He said that many Lao people were gaining more interest in a wide range of sports as a direct result of the upcoming 25th SEA Games to be held in Vientiane in December.

However, while an increasing number of Lao people were interested in physical pursuits, there was a general lack of trained educators in the field of physical education and training in the country, he said.

Mr Intong thanked the Japanese government and others cooperating and assisting PETTS development.

He said the indoor dojo at the teacher training school would be suitable for training and competition events in judo, karate-do and aikido and provide another alternative for martial artists.

The Japanese government provided about 19 billion kip (201,600,000 million yen) for the second phase of construction of the Lao-Japan Budo Centre.

The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee will hold the judo and karate-do events at the Vientiane-based centre.

The funds were used to build the Budo Centre, install electricity, water and air conditioning and provide equipment and clothing for judo and karatedo players.

In the first phase of construction, the Japanese government provided grant aid of about 37 billion kip (400 million yen) last December.

Construction of the Budo Centre began on December 10 last year, and is due for completion in October this year. It is being built by a consortium of the Japan-based Kanto Construction Co. Ltd and Sanpo International Corporation.

Judo events in the 25th SEA Games will comprise eight men's categories (55kg, 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg and over 100kg), while women are competing in the 45, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78 and over 78kg categories.

Karatedo events will consist of male combatants in seven categories (55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg) and women fighters in four (48, 53, 60 and over 60kg).

At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand last year, the Lao judo team took home two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, while the karate-do team won a bronze.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

In welcoming the upcoming New Year, all Lao sports fans will not only celebrate the 43rd anniversary of sport in this country, but also hope that celebrations will motivate Lao athletes to success at the 25th South East Asian (SEA) Games as host nation for 2009.

Laos’ main hope as hosts of the SEA Games will be an overwhelming home team advantage that will result in more gold medals and improve on the country’s performance in previous games. Apart from international competitions such as the SEA Games, the country’s main arena for sports is the National Games.

According to the Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Somsavat Lengsavad, who spoke at the closing of the 2008 National Games on December 22, this year’s event was a great experience for officials, athletes and coaches in their preparation for the 25th SEA Games, which will take place in Laos next year.

This year’s eighth National Games was hosted by Champassak province for the second time, and the number of athletes and sports have increased dramatically since the first games in 1985. The main goals of the National Games are not only for development of sport, but also to promote and strengthen friendship between athletes, competitors and supporters from different parts of the country.

The founding day for Lao sports was July 13, 1966, as declared at the third congress of the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC). This was also the day the Lao People’s Army’s sports division was officially opened at a base in Huaphan province. This was an important milestone in the history of Lao sport. Five months later, athletes competed in an international event for the first time when they went to the Games of New Force in Cambodia. Laos sent 22 athletes who competed in shooting and volleyball events.

Since the country’s liberation in 1975, sports have greatly contributed to national protection and development. Lao sports have expanded into local communities throughout the country. Sport plays an important role in international relations and participation in international competitions brings awareness and success for the country. Since 1975, the Lao government has been developing sport by training coaches and administration officers.

The LNSC held the first National Games in 1985 in Vientiane. There were 650 athletes from five zones and eight ministries competing in 12 sporting events. Vientiane came top of the final medal tally. The second National Games were hosted by Savannakhet province in 1987. Again there were 12 sports events, but athlete numbers had risen to more than 1,376 from seven zones and nine ministries. The capital city’s team retained their winner’s title.



From then on the National Games were to be held every three years in different provinces, but sometimes the games were delayed because of funding problems. The third National Games took place in Khammuan province in 1991 and was attended by 920 athletes from nine zones competing in 11 sports. In 1994, the fourth National Games was hosted by Champassak province, and attracted 1,600 athletes. Competitors took part in 14 sports and came from nine zones, while the leader of the medal tally was Vientiane again. In 1997, the event was hosted by Luang Prabang province and athlete numbers continued to grow. This time the event attracted 1,668 athletes from 10 zones, competing in 14 sports. The Vientiane team finished on top.

The sixth National Games were held in Vientiane in 2000. For the first time, the number of athletes competing was over 3,000 and the number of sports had increased to 28. The Vientiane team retained its top ranking. The seventh National Games was hosted by Savannakhet province in 2005 and attended by teams from 17 provinces and 13 ministries. This time there were 22 sports and 3,257 athletes. Vientiane again won the final medal tally.

This year’s eighth National Games ran from December 13-22 in Champassak province, and ended with big surprises as the home team claimed the top ranking in the final medal tally. For the first time ever, previous champions Vientiane slumped to third place. This time, about 6,000 athletes competed in 24 sports, representing 17 provinces, 10 ministries and two organisations.

SISAY VILAYSACK
Vientianetimes

The final selection of 100 Ms SEA Games representatives will take
place on Friday at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane.

More than 200 girls have applied to the contest, but only 100 will be
chosen for the role.

Eleven country placard bearers will be selected from the 100
representatives to take part in the stadium parade that precedes the
games, which will be held next December in Vientiane.

The 100 selected participants will introduce themselves to the public
for the first time at Patuxay Monument at the start of the countdown
to the SEA Games, which will begin on New Year's Eve.

Organising sub-committee member, Mr Sopha Inthavong, said nationwide
applications opened at the end of July, and the three-part selection
process would culminate in the announcement this Friday.

Applicants were required to be Lao citizens, aged between 18 and 25,
and have a pleasant personality and good manners.

Participants also had to be single and be communicative, intelligent,
knowledgeable, talented and able to speak English.

Before the candidates were presented yesterday to the organising
committee at the National Culture Hall, they received training in
social etiquette and ceremonial presentation. Mr Sopha, who is also
one of the trainers, said training would continue after the selection
process.

“After their selection, the 100 Ms SEA Games representatives will
return to the National Culture Hall stage, where they will practise
how to nop (perform the traditional greeting), stand and act in a
socially appropriate manner,” Mr Sopha said.

He said those who were selected would also learn how to speak English
and take part in various activities, such as visiting important sites
in Vientiane like That Luang and the Hor Phra Keo museum.

They will be trained by staff who will give them suggestions on the
wearing of traditional clothes and tennis dress, before their public
presentation on December 31.

They will also learn how to dance to a selection of songs and rhythm,
and be guided in their choice of clothes.

An 18-year-old participant in the contest, Ms Soudaphone Tilakhoun,
who attends Pakpasak Technical School , said she was persuaded by her
friend to apply. She is hopeful of being selected in the group of 100
on Friday.

“ Laos will host the SEA Games for the first time, and I wanted to
play a part in serving the nation,” she said. “As a Lao girl I want to
give other people an insight into Lao culture, both in Laos and
overseas.”

Another participant, Ms Bouasavanh Phanthamit, 18, from Luang Prabang,
who studies at Rattana Business Administration College , said she too
wanted to serve her country while building her confidence.

“Actually I'm shy and never thought I could take part in the selection
process, but I've discovered I'm confident enough to go through with
it,” she said.

By Vientiane Times

Photo: Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Professor Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, who is Honorary President of the newly reformed committee of the Lao Cycling Federation ( fourth right ), takes part in the start of the public cycling race in Vientiane yesterday morning. --Photo Sangkhomsay

The Lao Cycling Federation (LCF) is hopeful of winning gold medals at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane next year after launching a new committee on Sunday.

Vice Minister of Information and Culture and LCF Honorary President Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdala, LCF President Vilaysouk Phimmasone and senior ministry officials attended a ceremony to launch the federation's new committee on Sunday in Vientiane.

Dr Bosengkham and senior officials participated in a mountain bike caravan procession along Fa-ngum Road as part of the event.

Mr Vilaysouk said the federation hoped to upgrade Lao cyclists' skills with the aim of achieving success at the SEA Games.

He said the federation was planning to organise an inaugural national cycling competition, a promotional bicycle caravan and an international cycling race in the lead-up to the games.

The federation's organising committee has sent cyclists to participate in the eighth National Games to be held in Champassak province in December.

The federation will organise a road race in January to select cyclists to join the national squad.

Mr Vilaysouk said the LCF was planning to send the national team to compete in at least two international races next year.

On Sunday, the federation organised a 6km road race along Fa-ngum Road involving more than 150 cyclists from Laos and neighbouring countries.

The race was held across various categories for competitors aged eight to over 50. Winners received trophies and cash prizes from the federation.

The event was supported by the federation and Lao Star Television Channel.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will offer technical and coaching assistance to Laos, who will host the SEA Games for the first time next year.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the Laotian organisers had made an official request to Malaysia to provide help from as early as December.

“The SEA Games will be the biggest event Laos has ever hosted and they mentioned that they lacked the experience to run the show, especially in the technical and coaching areas,” said Ismail at the ministry’s Hari Raya open house at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

“We have agreed to help them. This is not a problem as we have hosted bigger sporting events like the Commonwealth Games.

“We will send relevant technical officials and coaches to help them prepare for the SEA Games. They have also requested for their technical officials to come to Malaysia on attachments for six months with the National Sports Council and relevant sports associations.”

Meanwhile, Ismail hoped the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) would help to fight for the inclusion of certain Olympic sports that Laos had dropped from their Games programme.

“The SEA Games should be the first step towards identifying athletes with potential to compete at the Olympic level. This is followed by the Asian Games.
“But we have seen the tendency for hosts to include other sports in which they feel that they will do well.”

Laos had listed only 25 sports compared to 43 sports plus two demonstration sports in the previous Games programme in Thailand.

The Olympic sports, among them women’s basketball, cycling, archery and gymnastics, have been excluded at the expense of fin swimming, muay thai and shuttlecock kicking.
A decision on the final list of sports will be made after the SGF’s meeting next month.

The Ministry of Information and Culture has received the green light from the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee to help promote the 2009 SEA Games through the media.

The ministry plans to set up five sub-committees to provide information through print and electronic media to a global audience.

Deputy Minister of In formation and Culture Professor Dr Bosengkham Vongdara held a press conference yesterday announcing the sub-committees of media information providers were established last year.

The sub-committees focus on: a public relation team, local press centre, international press centre, TV live broadcasting centre, and the SEA Games Secretariat coordination team.

The committee for live TV broadcasting will cooperate with the Phetchampa Advertising Company to schedule the broadcast programme of all competition events during the games, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

Prof Bosengkham believes the committee will perform their duties successfully, providing media information nationally and to other SEA games member countries.

The SEA Games main press centre will be located at the International Cooperation Training Centre in Vientiane , while Champassak and Luang Prabang will also have press centres to cover events in both provinces.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

BANGKOK - THAILAND will give Laos 98 million baht (S$3.9 million) to help it organise the region's biggest sports event next year, a Thai government spokesman said.

The Southeast Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Laos at the end of next year but the impoverished nation desperately needs funds to improve its infrastructure.

'The money will be given to help Laos organise the 25th SEA Games, to improve stadiums and train staff,' spokesman Weerinthira Nathongborcharas said in a statement.

Laos, which has no experience in organising international sporting events, will host the bi-annual 25-sport games from December 3-12, 2009.

Ms Weerinthira said Thailand will send referees to train Laotian personnel in 12 sporting events and offer further training courses in Bangkok in four other events.

Thailand will also loan Laos sports equipment from the previous SEA Games, which took place in Thailand last December.

Thailand joins China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Olympic Council of Asia in supporting the Laos event, which will take place mostly at the national stadium in the capital Vientaine. -- AFP

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Sports/STIStory_253568.html

Annual sport events in Laos, Vientiane Games 2000

Photo: New stadium in Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang and Champassak provinces are repairing their football stadiums and other locations required for use during the 25 th SEA Games, to be held in Laos next year.

The Lao National Sports Committee has selected the two provinces to host the football events, and is urging them to have everything ready in time.

Two years ago the sports committee agreed Savannakhet province would stage the men's football matches, because there was a new stadium of the required standard and a seating capacity of 15,000.

The province had earlier hosted the 7 th National Games in 2005.

But it was later realised it would be difficult for spectators to travel to Savannakhet province as transport there was less reliable, according to an official in Vientiane last month.

The committee has since agreed to stage the matches in Champassak province, because of its better transport, including a larger airport.

Champassak has been allocated more than 7 billion kip for stadium improvements, to bring seating capacity up to 13,000. Work began in February in 2007 and is slated for completion in September.

The province will also host the 8 th National Games in December.

The committee will also grant more than 26 billion kip (US$30 million) to Luang Prabang province to repair the old football stadium, and will build new football training fields to be used for the SEA Games' women's football matches.

This work will begin in June and expand seating in the stadium to a capacity of 10,000. The stadium was originally built in 1996 for the 5 th National Games.

Luang Prabang is still awaiting 7 billion kip from the government to improve a 4.5km road around the stadium, and provide adequate transport for visitors to the city during the football events.

“We have received about 5 billion kip for road repairs from the Thai government,” said the Director of the Public Works and Transport Division, Mr Fasananh Thammavong.

Most of the construction is in the vicinity of Phousy market and is taking place from March to August.

There are plenty of parking spaces nearby, on a piece of land 1km long and 400m wide.

The airport, which was renovated in 2000, is expected to be able to cope with the increased passenger load.

“We received more than 55 billion kip from the Thai government to renovate the old airport,” said Mr Fasananh.

Source: Vientianetimes

Closing ceremony of the 24th SEA GAMES in Thailand and the performance from Laos who will host the 25th Sea Games in Vientiane 2009.

(KPL) Hongthong Park, Ban Koualouang, Chanthaboury district, Vientiane Capital, is being developed with adding a 24-hour market with a 200-car parking lot.

The development of 17,000 ha park is also to welcome the upcoming 25th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Vientiane in 2009.

The 25 billion kip development is the co-operation between Vientiane Administration, the Vientiane Urban Development Administration Authority (VUDAA) and Khampaisana Company.

The improvement of the park will be carried out by Khamphaixana Company, which will operate the park for 40 year after completing the construction.
Concerned parties signed a memorandum of understanding on the development last Thursday in Vientiane among the witness of Deputy Mayor of Vientiane Mr Bounchan Sinlavong and concerned officials.

The Lao Petanque Federation announced yesterday that it would be running a series of nationwide tournaments to select the best players to join the national squad.

According to federation official Mr Sengthong Chommalath, the schedule for this year's competitions is already complete, and will be held in three stages around the country.

Players in the southern provinces of Savannakhet, Saravan, Xekong, Attapeu and host Champassak will compete from February 23-24.

Vientiane and the central provinces of Vientiane , Khammuan and host Borikhamxay will compete from March 26-27, while the third stage will be held in Luang Prabang province from April 29-30, and include players from Xieng Khuang, Huaphanh, Phongsaly, Bokeo, Oudomxay, Xayaboury and Luang Namtha provinces.

The winners in each category will qualify to compete in a final round in Vientiane from May 17-18, and the best players will be chosen to attend a national training camp in the following month.

Although some have suggested that this will be too early to begin holding a training camp, Mr Sengthong maintains that players need as much time as possible to improve their skills before the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane .

The federation plans to invite at least 30 players, many of whom are already rising stars, to compete in the SEA Games, with the hope that they will win at least four gold medals on their home turf.

But more than half of the national squad players will be newcomers, which will be a challenge when facing strong rivals Thailand , Vietnam and Cambodia , where most players have world-class experience.

However federation president Mr Khammoui Keomany still believes that new members of the national squad will do as well, if not better, than Lao players at previous editions of the SEA Games.

Mr Khammoui also said the “dream team” for the 2009 games would begin their international tour after the end of the wet season, while the finalists for the national squad would be selected in the lead-up to the games.

The 2009 SEA Games will run from December 9-18; all main events will take place in the capital, while some will take place in provincial arenas in Vientiane , Luang Prabang and Savannakhet.

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes