25th SEA Games, Laos

(KPL) Thai Embassy in Vientiane has provided 42.7 million kip (THB 171,000) to the Lao National Karatedo Federation to support its preparation for the 25th SEA Games in 2009.

The handover took place last week at the Karatedo Training Centre in Vientiane and was performed by the Secretary of Thai Ambassador to Laos Ms Thanida Maynasaveth and the Secretary of Lao National Karatedo Federation President Mr Phonpadith Dalanouvong.

The federation will have a meeting to exchange lesson with Thai officials to better its preparation in the coming months. It is also expected that the participants will raise the upgrading of Lao referees who will perform at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane.

The Lao Judo fighter who won the 24th SEA Games-cold medal in Thailand is confident that he will be able to protect his champion in the 25th SEA Games to be held in his respected country next year.

The 25-year old Lao national judo fighter, Mr Viengvilay Chansy said that he will do his best to protect his last year endeavour victory in the 25th SEA Games over the strong rivals of Thailand and Vietnam.

“Thailand and Vietnam are the strongest opponents because they were the runners up at the last 24th SEA Games and I will always care about them,”

He said that his daily training with Mongolian and Japanese coach would support him to win the medal. Moreover, the Lao Judo Federation plans to separate their fighters into two groups, a group of eight fighters will be sent to get train in Japan and another three fighters will be in Mongolia.

Mr Viengvilay and his colleagues will travel to Japan for a two-month training course in August this year, while other tree of his colleagues will be in Mongolia for a six-month course.

He said that the lesson of Japan who is the origin of Judo will play an important role for him to defeat his rivals.

Mr Viengvilay joined the national team last six years ago and took part in the SEA Games three times, Asian Games one time and he also took part in the international tournament level held in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Cambodia. He has won two coppers, one golden medal in a competition at district level in Japan and one gold medal in the last 24th SEA Games.