25th SEA Games, Laos

The Lao men's under-23 football team will play a friendly match with Thai Port FC, champions of the Thai Football Association 2009, at the Chao Anouvong Stadium in Vientiane on Saturday.

The match will be another test of the players' skills as they prepare for the SEA Games. Entry to the game will be free of charge and the match will kick off at 5pm.

Lao Team Manager Viphet Sihachackr said this was an important experience for the players before facing big matches at the SEA Games in December.

“I believe this Saturday's match will be great, just the same as the recent 4-Nations Football Tournament held at the National Stadium. I hope lots of people will turn up to cheer for us.”

Recent matches have been good for the Lao football team, but the players are not good enough for SEA Games matches because they still need to improve in many areas of their tactics, Mr Viphet said. In the 4-nations tournament Laos drew 2-2 with Vietnam , defeated Thailand 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Malaysia , to be crowned champions.

“This match will be tougher than previous matches against Thai teams because they recently won the Thai FA Championship 2009. When we heard this we decided to invite them here for a friendly,” Mr Viphet said.

After Saturday's match, the Lao team will participate in the Cambodian International Football Tournament BIDC Cup 2009 from November 4-18 in Phnom Penh .

“This tournament will be more important than the match with Thailand this weekend because Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Vissai Ninh Binh are top teams in the Vietnamese league. Our players will have to raise the level of their game to face up to professional footballers like that,” he said.

Mr Viphet said the forthcoming matches were a strategy to improve the team by pitting them against stronger teams so they could learn from the experience ahead of the SEA Games.

In Cambodia , the tournament schedules Vissai Ninh Binh vs Laos and Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs Cambodia on November 8, Vissai Ninh Binh vs Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Cambodia vs Laos on November 10, Laos vs Hoang Anh Gia and Cambodia vs Vissai Ninh Binh on November 12. The finals will take place on November 14.

The Cambodian website http://roubroum.blogspot.com/ reported that the tournament will be broadcast live on Cambodian TV5 starting at 3.30 pm.

The tournament champion will win US$20,000, the runner-up US$10,000, third place will take US$5,000, the footballer voted best player will get US$1,000, and the top scorer and best goalkeeper will each get US$1,000.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

Vientianetimes

A Vientiane taxi company is improving services and increasing its fleet size to meet expected higher demand in the city during the SEA Games later this year.

Closed-circuit-televisions (CCTV), two-way radios and global positioning systems (GPS) will boost services and increase security for passengers and drivers, said Chief Executive Officer of the Taxi Vientiane Lao Group Company, Ms Bounmy Thepphavong last week.

“We can monitor all our cars through GPS and CCTV to ensure the safety of our customers. We also have a call centre with staff who can speak numerous languages, so that drivers can arrange for their customers to communicate with them via a two-way radio system,” she said.

“All these measures assist us to monitor the performance of drivers and help reduce security fears,” she said.

The company has supplied traffic police with a list of its registered vehicles so that police can inform them if one of their drivers is caught driving illegally or inappropriately.

“The SEA Games is very important for the region and attracts many visitors. Our company wants to provide customers with the best services possible,” Ms Bounmy said.

The company hopes to import a further 170 taxis from China before the games commence, as well as hiring more drivers to meet demand for services.

“After our pilot project ends, we hope to launch full operations with a further 170 cars,” Ms Bounmy said.

The company currently has 30 taxis on call 24 hours a day.

Each taxi contains information brochures on various hotels, restaurants and tourism sites in Vientiane .

A journey in a taxi costs 20,000 kip for the first kilometre and 2,000 kip for every 300 metres thereafter.

The company's headquarters is located in Saphanthong village, Sisattanak district, Vientiane .


By Souriya Meunviseth and Lourn Saboeun
Vientianetimes

The Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) football club will help train the Laos Under-23 soccer team in the leadup to the Southeast Asian Games in 2009 in Laos.

The Vietnamese club Saturday agreed to support the young Laos team at the suggestion of visiting Laotian Deputy Prime Minister Somvasat Lengsavad.

“We know HAGL is a big football club in Vietnam, with the expertise and facilities to help develop our football team,” Lengsavad said.

“Based on the Vietnamese government’s agreement to help train Laotian athletes to pave the way for SEA Games 2009, we came here with a desire to send the Lao U23 football team to practice in Pleiku (Gia Lai Province) for a long period of time.”

HAGL agreed to provide accommodation, training facilities and allowances to the Laotian football team, club Chairman Doan Nguyen Duc said.

Duc said HAGL hoped it could improve the skills and abilities of the Laos players to boost their chances in the football competition of the 25th SEA Games.

Another reason that the club agreed to help the Laotian football team, according to Duc, was because the HAGL Group was investing more than US$100 million in rubber plantations and others sectors in Laos.

Duc said he wanted to help Laos by training young footballers, as well as recruiting players in the future for the HAGL-Arsenal-JMG Football Institute, a joint venture between the club and UK team Arsenal.

“Thanks to (Vietnamese) Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh’s agreeing to help train 200 (Laotian) athletes in 2007 and 2008, and HAGL’s wholehearted support, we believe that Laos will have the most successful-ever SEA Games,” said Laotian Sports and Gymnastics Minister Phuthong Seng A Khom, who was accompanying the Laos Prime Minister.

The Laos Football Federation will try to complete procedures quickly so the Laos U23 team can start training in Gia Lai early next month, A Khom said.

Korean consultant to the Lao Badminton Federation, Mr Jae Jin Kim, will help the national badminton team's quest for a medal at the 25 th SEA Games in Vientiane in 2009.

Secretary General of the Lao Badminton Federation Bounleua Sinxayvoravong signed an agreement with the Chief Executive Officer of InnoMax Corporation from the Republic of Korea , Mr Jae Jin Kim, at the Lao National Sports Committee's office on Tuesday.

Mr Jae has pledged more than 200 million kip (US$25,000) to the Lao badminton team, to enable them to travel to the Republic of Korea for training in May. Accompanying the team will be a number of Lao Badminton Federation officials, who will gain valuable experience in competition organisation and management from their Korean counterparts.

At present a Malaysian badminton coach is training the Lao team in preparation for the Vientiane Badminton Open to be held at the National University of Laos in April.

“We have invited badminton teams from many countries to attend the Badminton Open, including teams from South East Asia, the Pacific and Europe ,” said the Assistant to the President of the federation, Mr Somsaveng Sengsylavong.

“However, the arena lacks special impact-absorbing flooring as we have a limited budget for the event,” he said.

Source: vientianetimes

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

A taekwondo training centre and the new "Olympasia" indoor stadium at the National University of Laos will house the wrestling and sepak takraw events at the 25 th SEA Games in Vientiane in 2009.

The Booyoung Company from the Republic of Korea donated US$300,000 (about 2.7 billion kip) in July last year to the Lao National Sports Committee to finance the construction of the taekwondo training centre.

The Lao National Sports Committee is overseeing the building of the training centre, which is scheduled for completion in April this year.

The Lao taekwondo team will train there in preparation for the 25 th SEA Games.

However, work on the Olympasia indoor stadium has come to a halt due to budget constraints.

Its construction was planned in two phases, with the first from January to June, 2006, at a cost of US$140,000 (about 1.2 billion kip).

When more funding is secured, it is planned that the stadium will seat 700. It will be 36 metres wide and 42 metres in length, with a height of 18 metres.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Photo: Sengdara fitness center in Vientiane.

The National Olympic Committee of Thailand presented fitness equipment worth 650 million kip to the Lao National Olympic Committee at the Lao National Club on Tuesday.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and President of the Lao National Olympic Committee Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom received the equipment from the President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, Mr Yuthasak Sasiprapha, during a handover ceremony.

The two countries will continue their cooperation in the sports sector for the 25 th SEA Games in Laos in 2009.

The fitness equipment will be installed at the new Lao National Sports Training Centre in Vientiane this year, once construction of the centre is complete.

Source: Vientianetimes

Two companies awarded advertising rights for the South East Asian (SEA) Games, to be held in Vientiane in 2009, have now sold part of their stake in the business to a Thai company.

Phetchampa Adverting Company of Laos and the RS International Broadcasting and Sports Management Company (RSBS) of Thailand were given sole advertising rights to the games last year.

The business comprises marketing, the opening and closing ceremonies and international TV broadcasts of the games, including advertising.

Phetchampa and RSBS signed an agreement on Friday in Vientiane with the Tee Ro Thai Intertrade Co Ltd of Thailand , selling them the sales' rights for the production of the games' mascots, Champi and Champa, for about 140 million kip (500,000 baht).

More than 50,000 units will be produced for sale.

In addition, RSBS plans to invest provide 560 million kip (2 million baht) for the production of medals and sportswear for Lao athletes and trainers.

The signing ceremony took place between the Director of the Phetchampa Advertising Company, Mr Khammoui Keomany, and the Managing Director of TRT Intertrade Co Ltd, Mr Praphan Prangla-or.

“We will also help with adverting for the sale of Lao handicrafts during the games,” said Mr Khammoui.


By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The government is planning to expand the road from Xaysavang village to Dongsanghin village in Xaythany district, Vientiane , this year in preparation for the 25 th SEA Games, to be held in December 2009.

The aim is to avoid traffic jams while the games are in progress. The six-lane road will be 4.5 km long and 21 metres wide, with lighting and parking places for a distance of one kilometre leading to the sports complex.

The complex is located in Dongsanghin village, at Km 16 in Xaythany district.

The upgrade will begin in February and is expected to take one year. The government will fund the project through a loan of 2.7 billion kip (US$300,000) from the Republic of Korea 's International Economic Development Fund.

The governments of the two countries will sign an agreement on the loan at the end of this month.

“A Korean company will design and build the new road and will send a proposal to the Roads Department of the Ministry of Works and Transport before approval is given,” said the Director General of the Roads Department, Mr Laokham Sompheth.

“We are also seeking funding to repair other roads in the area of the stadium,” said Mr Laokham.

The government spent about 34.8 billion kip (US$3.7 million) this month to relocate the residents of two villages in the vicinity of the sports complex.

At present, the road is about 7 metres wide, which is too narrow to cope with the large volume of traffic expected at the games.

The government of the Republic of Korea will begin searching for a Korean company to rebuild the road, which will be fully landscaped in time for the opening ceremony.

Deputy Mayor of Vientiane Somvandy Nathavong said at the Prime Minister's Office last week “We need to widen the stretch from Kaysone Phomvihane Road to the Dongsanghin village road into a six-lane highway to ease traffic congestion”.

He also intends that 5 hectares of land around the sports complex be made into a park.

At present, Vientiane has only one kilometre of road that is six lanes wide, Lane Xang Avenue , which runs from the Patouxay Monument to the Presidential Palace.


By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The Lao Wrestling Federation is gearing up to host a major wrestling competition among South East Asian nations in Vientiane in December.

The federation wants the contest to be an opportunity to test the chances of the Lao wrestling team to achieve gold in the 25 th SEA Games in 2009.

The federation does not yet have a stadium for the competition due to a lack of funding, and there no plans for the construction of a stadium this year.

“We hope to hold the contest at the training centre of the Lao Taekwondo Federation, if we ask for assistance from them,” said the Vice President of the Lao Wrestling Federation, Mr Bouathong Southammavong.

The Booyoung Company from the Republic of Korea is already building a taekwondo training centre in Vientiane ; the company began work on the project in November last year, and the building is set to be completed by April. The Asia Association's Wrestling Committee President, Mr Chang Kew Kim, will present equipment to the federation in March. During this visit, Mr Chang will also survey the taekwondo centre for suitability.

“We believe that more people will be interested in wrestling after the competition in December, and we also want to promote the sport to increase our chances of selecting a good team for the 25 th SEA Games,” said Mr Bouathong.

Mr Chang will recruit a skilled trainer to help improve the Lao wrestling team ahead of the games.

The Lao committee and the head trainer, Mr Manolom Phinith, discussed with Mr Chang after the team's success in the 24 th games in Thailand last year the possibility of receiving help from the association.

The wrestling events in December will consist of men's and women's wrestling events in eight categories.

Four men and two women wrestlers competed in the 24 th SEA Games, when Khonekeo Thatthavong in the 74kg category and Vilakone Vongphachane in the 60 kg category both won bronze medals.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Photo: Lao-ITECC, one of the place to be used for the SEA GAMES 2009

HANOI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Laos is constructing and upgrading its stadiums, training centers, accommodations, transport and tourism to host the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2009, Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Monday.

The 25th SEA Games will take place next December in Vientiane capital and the two provinces of Savannakhet and Luang Prabang.

Vientiane, home to 97 hotels, 69 restaurants and 60 tourism companies, will spend more than 12 billion kip (nearly 1.3 million U.S. dollars) building accommodations, improving the city's appearance, and expanding its public transport network.

Savannakhet province is to spend over 65 billion kip (seven million dollars) upgrading infrastructure for hosting soccer events, and Luang Prabang province to rebuild its existing stadiumto host track and field events.

Laos is building a judo training center for the Lao Judo Federation with the assistance of the Japanese government, and a taekwondo training center with the help of a South Korean company.

The 25th SEA Games will comprise swimming, diving, wrestling, track and field, badminton, rugby, boxing, soccer, futsal, golf, judo, karatedo, petanque, sepak takraw, billiards, snooker, shooting, Muay Lao, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, boat racing, shuttlecock, wushu, pencak silat, volleyball, and beach volleyball events.

At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand last year, the Lao team was helped by trainers from Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Mongolia and Thailand, and showed great improvements, the newspaper said.

Badminton federation seeks rising stars

The Lao Badminton Federation is working hard to raise the standard of its players to international level before they compete in next year's South East Asian (SEA) Games, on home soil.

Although the team returned home empty-handed from the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand last month, the federation hopes to celebrate a medal at the 25 th SEA Games, to be held in 2009 in Laos .

Federation official Somsaveng Sengsilavong told Vientiane Times yesterday “The standard of our players is very poor compared to other countries in Southeast Asia , so we still have a lot of work to do.”

“I think we stand little chance of winning a gold or silver medal at the 2009 SEA Games, even though we'll be playing at home, because players from countries such as Indonesia , Malaysia and Thailand top the world rankings,” Mr Somsaveng said.

“But we're not completely despondent and feel we might get a bronze medal, because the host nation has the right to set the rules of competition. We're now talking with SEA Games council members about the rules concerning the inclusion of professional players.”

“Many members have said they want only amateur players to take part. This would improve the situation for us and other countries that don't have professional players,” he added.

He also said the federation was planning to organise several activities to improve the skills of its players, focussing in particular on two major tournaments.

The first will be the National Championships from January 25-27 in Vientiane . The tournament will comprise 12 events in three categories of competition: male and female single, and doubles for players in the under-14, -16 and -19 age groups.

The National Open will take place in April and invites all the best players in the country to compete, as well as those from overseas.

The federation will use both tournaments to select the best players to enter the national training camp, to prepare for the SEA Games.

Concerning a coach, Mr Somsaveng said the federation would ask the Badminton Asia Confederation to provide the best trainer it could.

According to the Badminton Asia Confederation's official website, it is the governing body of badminton in Asia . Today, it boasts a membership of 39 countries, including Laos , and aims to remain the benchmark for world badminton for many years to come.

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes

Photo: Model of new national stadium of Laos for 2009 Sea Games

The Sub-Committee for Tobacco Control and the Tobacco Control Taskforce expect to have smoke-free zones declared for the 25 th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2009.

The Chairman of the Tobacco Control Taskforce, Prof Sithat Insisiengmay, told Vientiane Times on Monday that his taskforce and the sub-committee of the Lao National Sports Committee first met last month and are now in the process of drafting a decree before sending it to the Prime Minister for signing.

“This decree will help us achieve our goal of a tobacco free games, with events held in Luang Prabang, Savannkhet provinces and Vientiane,” he said.

He said the taskforce had also successfully implemented smoke-free zones in the Ministry of Public Health, and most hospitals in Vientiane as well as provincial hospitals of Luang Prabang and Savannakhet.

Hospitals in Champassak province have already sent a proposal to the taskforce, which should be implemented early this year, he added.

“Ourselves, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance are together pushing for the implementation of a smoke-free 25 th SEA Games,” said an assistant of WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative Programme, Dr Bounlonh Kesouvannasane.

He added that funding would be needed for a media campaign, informing the various committees who work for the games and publishing material.

The new Tobacco Control Law also passed the first step in Sub-Committee level at the Ministries of Public Health, Industry and Commerce, and Justice and the Prime Minister's Office, he said.

He added the draft will be sent to a committee of nine ministries for consideration before sending it to the 5 th session of sixth legislature of the National Assembly in 2008 for approval.

Smoke-free areas are in line with the World Health Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) ratified by Laos in 2006.

By Panyasith Thammavongsa
Content: Vientianetimes
Photo: Vientianemai

(KPL) The Lao government has recently granted the Booyoung Co, Ltd from the Republic of Korea to develop a 27-hole golf course for the 2009 SEA Games, which will be hosted by Laos.

The course which is expected to be completed by May 2009, is located on a 300-ha site at KM 18 in Saythany district, Vientiane Capital.

The US$ 12 million project was signed at a ceremony held on 31 July at the Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, between Mr Soulivong Dalavong, President of the Committee for Planning and Investment, on behalf of the Lao Government and Mr Lee Joong Keun, Chairman of the Booyoung Co., Ltd.

The agreement was also signed by the President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Dr. Phouthong Seng-akhom, the Vice-Mayor of Vientiane, Mr. Bounchanh Sinthavong.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad.

This is the first investment in Laos for the Booyoung Co., Ltd. So far the company has donated more than US$ 5 million to develop the education for poor people in remote rural areas of Laos .

Source: kpl

This new national stadium has been constructed at Km 16 in Xaythany district on Road 13 South of Vientiane city and is expected to be ready 3 months before the SEA Games start. The swimming pools, golf and tennis courts of world standard will be built near the Lao International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre (ITECC).

The Lao national sport committee announced to organise some sports events in Vientiane, Luang prabang and Savannakhet provinces. The traditional boat racing, canoeing and other events will be held in Vientiane province. The first round of the men football competition will be held in Savannakhet because the new 15,000-seat stadium is completed. The new stadium in Luang prabang province will be used for women football competition.


Photo: New stadium used for the opening ceremony of the 7th National games in Savannakhet province, central Laos.



Photo: New stadium in Luang prabang province, nothern Laos.

Totally 25 sports will be competed at the 25th SEA GAMES in Vientiane, Laos including Lao traditional sports such as archery, top spinning and boat racing.

Reported by: Samakomlao

(KPL) The Lao Brewery Company (LBC) has made a decision to support US$1 million for the Lao PDR to be the host of the 25th SEA Games in 2009.

This is according to a signing ceremony among the LBC, Phethchampa Advertising Company, RSBs Companies on 22 August at Done Chan Palace Hotel.

The signing ceremony of the patronisation was witnessed by Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad and President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Dr. Phouthong Seng-akhom.
The LBC’s support will cover the 25th SEA Games activities becoming main sponsor of Laos and for the 25th SEA Games.

Laos has scheduled to be the host of the 25th SEA Games in 2009 but now it is a big challenge for the first time of the Laos, particularly the preparing plan which is quite poor in order to avoiding bad feedback from society in the nation and overseas.

The preparing plan should be made better than current situation, said an official concerned.

Laos has no experience to organise the big event like the SEA Games if this job’s output was good it would raise the reputation of the country to the international stage, an official of the Lao National Sports Committee continued.

At present, the Government has received constantly from private companies, international organisations and friendly countries for preparing the 2009 SEA Games.

Source: kpl

Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom answers questions at the press conference in Nakhon Ratchasima. – Photo Sisay

The popular sporting competition, the Southeast Asian Games, which will be hosted by Laos in 2009, will be run on time, according to the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and the President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom.

Reporters were surprised when Dr Phouthong told the media that Laos promised to host the next SEA Games in 2009 on time and without delay. But Laos will have to drop some events from the schedule of competition due to the inexperience of athletes and organisers at this level of competition.

Laos will only hold 25 events compared to the 43 at this year's SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima , Thailand . Many Olympic sports including cycling, basketball, gymnastics, hockey and weightlifting are likely to be dropped from the Games in 2009, but there will be no official decision until the time is closer.

The Lao 25 th SEA Games organising committee held a press conference in Nakhon Ratchasima on December 14, prior to the closing ceremony of this year's SEA Games and the official confirmation of the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane .

The press conference was attended by reporters from international media organisations and all were focused on the next SEA Games and Lao's preparations for 2009.

Dr Phouthong said, “The number of events for the 25 th SEA Games will be 25, but that is not too small when compared with Brunei in 1999, were there were just 23. I think it's really okay, because Laos is a small country too and it will be the first time for us as hosts,”

“At present we have Chinese and Vietnamese assistance in building a sports complex and training centre and other facilities to use for 2009. So, I can assure you that everything will be completed on time,” he said.

“However,during the countdown to the Games, we are not just working hard to prepare facilities for competition, the athlete's development is also equally important for us,” he added.

In this year's SEA Games Laos finished 8 th in the final medal tally out of the 11 nations competing, with 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals.

But the 2009 SEA Games will give Laos an improved ranking and medal count than in previous games.


By Sisay Vilaysack
vientianetimes

These are the official mascots to be used for the the 25th SEA Games in Laos or " Vientiane Games 2009 ". Two white elephants which symbolized Laos once "the kingdom of million elephants" were chosen as it is believed they bring good fortune and prosperity. The names of the elephants Mr. Champee and Ms. Champa represent the national flower of Laos.