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

The 25th SEA Games Preparation Committee will next week announce the exact number of Lao athletes to participate in the event this December.

The committee's Head, Bounheuang Vongphachanh, said yesterday documents are now being presented to 25 sporting federations who will then comprise lists of competitors to send back to the committee next week.

“We will determine the actual number of athletes to compete in the games, as well as substitute athletes to stand in when an original athlete is unable to perform,” he said.

It is expected more than 600 Lao athletes will participate in the games. Currently, more than 700 athletes from 25 sports are training in both Laos and abroad.

More than 500 athletes are now training in Laos , while others are preparing in Vietnam , Mongolia , Malaysia and South Korea .

“Most of the 25 federations have hired trainers from various countries in the region to coach their athletes in preparation for the games,” Mr Bounheuang said.

As part of their preparations, the athletes participate in many competitions at home and abroad. Some of them are successful, but others still need improvement before the big event commences later this year.

“Lao athletes recently won four gold and three silver medals, as well as one bronze medal in muaylao at the Asian Indoor Games 2009 in Vietnam . They have also won a gold, two silvers and one bronze medal at the 24th King's Cup Sepak Takraw World Championships 2009 in Thailand ,” Mr Bounheuang said.

The committee has also reported that Lao athletes participating in a pre-SEA Games badminton competition in Vientiane earlier this month won both silver and bronze medals.

“In the recent Thailand International Judo North Bangkok College Championships 2009, Lao athletes were awarded four silver and two bronze medals,” he added.

“During the next month, Lao athletes will be sent to participate in many competitions abroad including muaylao, taekwondo, judo, karatedo, wusu and pencak silat. The experience they gain will help to improve their skills before the games in Vientiane .”

Mr Bounheuang said national athletes were taken care of by their respective federations during training, including finances, health, food and accommodation. Athletes training abroad are supported by the sports committees of each country.

According to a report issued by the Lao National Sports Committee last week, more than 5,100 people, including around 900 officials and 4,245 competitors from 10 countries in the region, will attend the games. The committee is still awaiting the details regarding exact numbers of participants from Timor L'este.



By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

The main target for Lao athletes as the home team at this year's biennial SEA Games is to improve on their personal best.

National athletes and their coaches are saying these games are not just for experience, enjoyment, or friendship as in the past. This time they are serious and are putting all their efforts into victory.

Hopes of success for the nation's athletes are high after their last SEA Games campaign in Thailand in 2007 where 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals were won.

This was a big improvement for Lao teams over previous SEA Games, and will serve to encourage them to improve as they aim for a record medal haul when they appear in front of local supporters on home soil in December.

Despite competing as the home team, it will not be easy for Laos to sit atop the medal tally. The nation has set a goal of at least 25 gold medals at the games.

The level of sports development in Laos is quite low compared to most other Asean countries. Nearly all Lao athletes compete as amateurs, while those in other countries in the region are often professionals.

This year will be the first time Laos has competed in the weightlifting event at the SEA Games.

The home nation is considered a good chance in some of the weightlifting divisions, despite the fact that many competitors from other countries have Asian and Olympic Games experience.

Petanque is also a big hope for Laos to win gold medals. The Lao team hopes to claim at least four gold medals from the 11 events, according the Lao Petanque Federation.

Previous gold medals won by Lao petanque teams at the SEA Games include one in each of the 2001 ( Malaysia ) and 2003 ( Vietnam ) games, and two in the 2005 ( Philippines ) and 2007 events.

The men's national football team is also looking to impress and make their first ever semi-finals, or perhaps even the gold-medal match.

The team will commence training under new a coach from Austria , Alfred Riedl, due to arrive in the country next week.

Across numerous sports Lao athletes have high hopes of success at the games and are training hard in their quest for glory.

When talking about the SEA Games Lao people invariably remember the nation's first boxing star, Mr Vongkot Chinda.

He won the country's first ever SEA Games medal, a silver at the 1989 games in Malaysia .

He followed this up with another at the 1993 games in Singapore . Mr Vongkot also won a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Beijing , China in 1990.

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes

The athletes' accommodation for 25th SEA Games located at the compound of the national university of Laos is now 90% completed.
Mr. Kienkham Phutthachanthavong, director of the construction of athletes's dormintory reported that the construction has been conducted since January 2009 by the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Construction Company of Vietnam. The company loaned US$15 million to Lao government for constructing dormitory. This is interest-free loan for three years.
The dormitory is built on 42,000 square metres which consists of 1,000 rooms, a conference room, an information centre and others facility room. The building capacity enables to accommodate 4,000 athletes.
The construction is now 90% completed and the company is now working on the inside decoration, electrical systems installation, and gardening. The work is expected to be finished by the end of June this year.

Source: Vientianemai

Lao-ITECC has become one of the venues to be used for 25th Seagames, the first grandiose regional event ever to take place in Laotian soil, after the 25 Seagames Organising Committee has selected this Shopping Center as one of the main venues to be used for competition of 3 sports such as: Sepak Katraw, Panjak Silat and Wushu (Martial Art) during the 25th Seagame to be held in Laos in December 2009.

Mr. Souliyong Youivanivong, General Manager of the Lao World Co.LTD stated that: ITECC started its construction in 2003 and completed in 2004 with an aim to be used as main venue for hosting the ASEAN-related Meetings in February 2004, 10th ASEAN Summit in Nov 2004 and other international meetings that Laos has gained privilege as a host country. Beside, the trade exhibition has also been held here displaying agricultural, industrial and handicraft products, consumer goods, as well as holding reception, wedding reception. ITECC could accomodate up to 2000 guests. The ITECC also has 32 laned-Bowling Center, 2 Cineplexes and Snooker Courses. Due to is its easy access and convenience, particularly its large parking lot, the ITECC holds trade exhibition 2 times monthly showcasing local product as well as products from neighboring country such as vietnam and Thailand.

During the 25th Seagames, the ITECC has been designates as venue for the competition of the 3 sports mentioned aboved in which the Sepak Takraw and Wushu will take place at its main hall inside ITTECC and Panjak silat will take place at reception hall on second floor. During the end of November ahead of the Games, the Seagame Organising Committee will conduct improvement works such as lighting, audience seats improvement for accommodating 1000 audiences.

In order to contribute to the success in hosting the game, ITECC will charge no rent fee and kindly help pay for electricity, cleaning fee. During the game, ITECC will allow exhibition only on its parking lot in order to let the audiences be able to buy things back home. Moreover, Lao world Company has simultaneouly gained privilege to provide foods including breakfast, lunch and dinner for approximately 3000 to 4000 Laotian and foreign athletes at Athletes Residences located in National University.

Mr. Souliyong has futher stated that: the Subcomittee for Public Security will be responsible for security-related matters during the game and will conduct in-place security commands to ensure 100% of security, same standard that Laos previously provided in hosting international events.

Source: Vientianemai
Translated by: Boy in VT

Despite dire prognosis from sports leaders in the country, RP chef de mission to Laos Southeast Asian Games Mario Tanchangco said yesterday that a maximum of 300 athletes will represent the Philippines in the 25th SEA Games slated December 9-18 in Vientiane, Laos.

Tanchango said that they will operate on the P30 million budget allotted by former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez.

He said the funds will be enough for the allowances, accommodation and plane tickets of the delegation.

Although he refused to elaborate on whether the 300-athlete delegation bound for Laos is lean, Tanchango assured that the RP contingent is “a mean one”.

The number of the athletes tapped to represent the country was based on the Philippine Olympic Committee-approved criteria of a gold-finish medal finish in the 24th Thailand biennial meet, he said.

“We still have six months left before the SEAG and most NSA are still holding their qualifying meet. But most probably, the number of athletes will not go beyond 300,” Tanchangco told Manila reporters.

The Philippines will participate in 22 out of 25 sports that were calendared in the Laos Games.

Boxing and Taekwondo banner the Philippine Team with a maximum participation of 16 and 21, respectively. These two sports are dubbed as the country’s best chance in winning the elusive gold medal in the 2012 Olympics and the SEA Games will part of their preparation to achieve that ambitious feat.

Swimming and athletics, the two centerpiece events in the Games, are sending 15 and 14 athletes, respectively.

Rounding up the list of the athletes per sports are archery (8), badminton (7), billiards (13), cycling (8), diving (8), football (24), judo (8), fencing (7), tennis (6), soft tennis (7), golf (8), karate (8), sepak (12), shooting (8), volleyball (16), beach volleyball (4), water polo (41), wrestling (6), wushu (8) and weightlifting (4).

Daily Star

ORGANIZERS of the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos, which will be hosting the games for the first time, said they need at least two more months to complete the construction of the venues and other facilities.

This was according to Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the 25th SEA Games Organizing Committee Somsavat Lengsavad and senior LNSC officials following an ocular inspection they conducted on the main stadium, the golf course, the main access roads and the Athletes’ Village.

Work was supposed to be finished by March, but according to the Games’ official Web site, the Chinese and Korean companies involved in the construction work are having a difficult time completing the job at the main venue in the Saythany district.

The foreign contractors said the delay was caused by several factors, one of which is the dry summer season, which is not suitable for growing grass inside the football stadium. The grass will only be planted in June, which is the start of the rainy season.

Also, the land around the golf course have yet to be cleared because “some people have yet to leave their homes to make way for the construction.”

Lao Golf Federation president Songkham Silaphets said the course would be completed in May, “as long as plans don’t change.”

Meanwhile, the access road is reportedly 75 percent complete and will be landscaped by May, while engineers from the two companies said it is also difficult to dig drainage channels and install electricity around the main stadium and other venues, prompting Somsavat to ask the Ministry of Public Works and Transport committee to cooperate with the contractors regarding these problems.

More than 400 Lao workers are involved in the construction at a cost of more than $100 million.

A ceremony to hand over the stadium to the Lao government will take place in September.

The 25 events of the 2009 SEA Games to be held in Vientiane in December will be scattered around the eight stadiums. Peter Atencio

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