25th SEA Games, Laos

(KPL) The Asian Football Federation organized in Vientiane on 6 April a five day training course to develop football administration, management and coaching capacity within the Lao Football Federation.

The regional course which is part of the Futuro programme run by FIFA, concentrated on instruction of coaches, referees, administrators and sports medicine practitioners, with a view to producing active, home grown management talent, with the proactive effort of member associations.

The five day training course will focus on administrative proficiency, FIFA development activities, general management and finance, as well as competition organization, planning and marketing.

Special report the progress of the main stadium to be used for the opening and closing ceremony of the 25th SEA GAMES in the capital city of Vientiane, Laos.

More than 200 cars and 200 buses will be used to transport athletes and officials around Laos during the 2009 SEA Games.

More than 10,000 people, including about 4,500 athletes and delegates, are expected to visit Laos for the event next year.

SEA Games Transport Committee Head, Mr Lattanamany Khounnyvong, told Vientiane Times the committee had sent a draft transport plan to the SEA Games Organising Committee Secretariat.

The plan proposes the use of 200 cars and more than 200 buses during the games, which will take place in Vientiane and Champassak and Luang Prabang provinces.

Mr Lattanamany, who is also Ministry of Public Works and Transport Office Head, said the plan may be adjusted after being reviewed by the organising committee.

“We expect the draft plan will be approved by the end of this month and we hope to arrange contracts with private sector entities by the end of October,” he said.

The transport committee plans to have vehicles departing the athletes' accommodation in Dongdok village and going to the National Sports Stadium every 10 minutes during peak times of the event.

This service will operate every 20 minutes during off-peak times and will include special arrangements for large groups of athletes.

Mr Lattanamany said the transportation of athletes' luggage was a priority and the committee had sent official letters to overseas aviation companies requesting them to provide priority services when transporting athletes' equipment and belongings.

He said the number of services operating between provinces would be decided after participating countries confirmed the number of athletes and delegates attending.

Public vehicles will be banned from entering the stadium area to ease traffic congestion during the event.

“We are currently discussing parking arrangements for public vehicles,” Mr Lattanamany said.

Officials intend to arrange public transport services for people wishing to attend events.

Mr Lattanamany said the committee met on a weekly basis to update information and discuss appropriate preparation work.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
Vientianetimes