25th SEA Games, Laos

Laos is ready to host the 25th SEA Games, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of next month, according to a top government official.


“Judging from the progress made in various work activities, we can now announce that we are fully prepared to successfully host the 25th SEA Games,” Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara announced on Wednesday.

He made the announcement during a briefing session on the SEA Games for ministers responsible for information from Asean and dialogue partners of China , Japan and South Korea who are attending the 10th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information and related meetings in Vientiane this week.

The briefing session was also attended by Minister of Information and Culture Mounkeo Oraboun.

Dr Bosengkham said the construction of the new National Stadium, which will be used to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, is 100 percent complete.

The sports complex, which is located some 16 km outside of central Vientiane , consists of a football stadium, two indoor stadiums, tennis courts, swimming pools, and shooting and archery ranges, and can seat 20,000 spectators.

The renovation of the Chao Anouvong Stadium (formerly the National Stadium) in the city centre is also complete, he said, and will host the qualifying rounds of the men's football event.

Construction of the boxing arena in Beungkhanhong village, the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeut village, and two indoor stadiums at the National University of Laos Dongdok campus are all 100 percent complete.

Other sports venues, including the Budo Centre in downtown Vientiane , and the Indoor Sports Complex will be finished this month, he said.

Dr Bosengkham said adequate, secure, and comfortable accommodation facilities are in place for athletes, referees, tourists and media.

The newly built SEA Games Village in Nongviengkham village, Xaythany district, near the Dongdok campus can accommodate 4,000 athletes . The village also includes offices and a canteen.

The government has selected a number of hotels and guesthouses to accommodate more than 3,000 tourists and media representatives during the games, he said.

The government has also provided guidance to hotels and restaurants on observing strict hygiene practices and providing clean food.

Dr Bosengkham said the government has appointed a health committee to prevent outbreaks of influenza A(H1N1), and thermal scanning equipment has been installed at several international border checkpoints.

The government will also introduce measures to facilitate immigration procedures at border checkpoints in the lead-up to and during the games.

Dr Bosengkham said the government has exerted every effort to build the necessary infrastructure for the games.

A number of countries, in particular Asean nations and local and international companies, have lent their support to the government for the games, he added.



By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
Vientianetimes

Lao teams emerged victorious from a four nations Sepak Takraw tournament held on October 16-17 in Vientiane .

The Lao Sepak Takraw Federation organised the tournament to test their athletes and officials before the SEA Games in December.

The event involved athletes from Malaysia , Thailand and Vietnam and was held at the Lao International Trade and Exhibition Convention Centre.

The Lao women's singles team defeated Malaysia 2-1, Thailand 2-0 and Vietnam 2-1 to be crowned champions, while the women's doubles team beat Malaysia 2-0, Thailand 2-1 and Vietnam 2-1 to finish in top place.

The Lao men's doubles team finished in second place after defeating Malaysia and Vietnam but falling to Thailand . The men's singles team took third place after a 2-0 loss to Malaysia , a 2-1 loss to Thailand and a 2-1 win over Vietnam .

Federation official Lamphone Souvanvong said the tournament attracted top athletes who are likely to compete at the SEA Games.

“We need further practice on our defence skills. Many of our players lack experience but we are proud to see their skills have improved a lot since they first started training for the games.”

The tournament allowed athletes, officials and organisers an opportunity to assess their readiness for the SEA Games as well as test the facilities to be used at the games.“The first day of the tournament was very busy, but things improved and the organisers managed to run a successful event,” Mr Lamphone said.

He said organisers received assistance from Thai officials to ensure the tournament went smoothly.

The federation has selected a final squad of 30 for the SEA Games. They were previously training in Savannakhet province, but have now moved to Vientiane in the lead-up to the games. Mr Lamphone said the federation is confident the team will perform their best in front of their home crowd and urged everyone to attend the games and support Lao athletes.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

More than 16,000 Laotians packed into the National stadium to witness the final match between Laos and Malaysia in Vientiane capital, Laos. The Lao team needs to win or just draws with Malaysia to be the champion for this tournament.

It was in the 80 mins where a Lao team got their first goal by Lamnao Singto, who passed a perfect ball to Paseusak to hit the goal.

2 minutes later, Malaysia hit back and finally made their goal.

The time ended, and the final score stands at 1:1.

The final score for all matches are as follow


LEAGUE TABLE STANDING

RANK TEAM PLAYED WIN LOSE DRAW FOR AGAINST POINTS
1 LAOS 3 1 0 2 6 3 5
2 MALAYSIA 3 1 0 2 6 4 5
3 THAILAND 3 1 1 1 5 6 4
4 VIETNAM 3 0 2 1 4 8 1

Watch the match between Laos and Malaysia below:

The 25th SEA Games Marketing and Benefit Committee (SEAGMBC) has announced ticket prices and distribution for the event to be held in Vientiane this December.

SEAGMBC Vice President, Mr Chanpheng Siratana said the ticket prices had been agreed upon by all the committees involved in organising the games.

“We met and discussed the ticket prices many times and have come up with what we believe are reasonable prices for both local and foreign people,” Mr Chanpheng said.

Tickets for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the games will be divided into four different categories, costing 500,000 kip, 400,000kip, 300,000 kip and 200,000 kip.

Ticket prices for sporting events will depend on the event, but will cost between 20,000 and 100,000 kip. Some events will be open to the public free of charge.

“Seven sports will be free for spectators - cycling, golf, snooker, athletics, petanque, weightlifting and archery,” he said.

The committee reported that currently tickets are only available for purchase in Laos .

“We are not sure if we will sell ticket online because the matter is still under discussion with other committees. We hope to make tickets available to sporting fans in other countries soon,” said Mr Chanpheng.

There have been public complaints that tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies of the games are too expensive. Many believe the high prices are unaffordable for Lao people.

Mr Chanpheng said the opening and closing ceremonies would be broadcast through Lao National Television but urged people to attend the events.

“The ceremonies will be fantastic and I really want Lao people to attend and experience the atmosphere at their home games.”

“We also plan to invite representatives of government offices to participate in the ceremonies,” he said.

“We are not yet sure how many tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies will be made available to the public, because we are unsure how many VIP guests will be attending.”

“We have taken steps to ensure that counterfeit tickets will not be an issue,” Mr Chanpheng said.

Tickets for the games are already designed and awaiting approval from various SEA Games committees before they are printed and ready for sale.

The 25th SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 18. Athletes will contest 390 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.

Athletes from Laos , Vietnam , Cambodia , Brunei , Thailand , Malaysia , Indonesia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Singapore and Timor Leste will take part.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientiane