25th SEA Games, Laos

The 25th SEA Games being held this December will be the most important sporting event so far for Lao people to promote their country to the region

Representatives from several sporting, business and governmental organisations are involved in preparation work to welcome the games, which Laos will host from December 9-18.

Yesterday Vientiane Times reporters surveyed local people, business and government officials on their understanding about preparations for the games, and the results were enlightening.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and President of the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC), Dr Phouthong Seng Akhom said yesterday this was an opportunity for Laos, as the host nation, to increase solidarity and friendship amongst Southeast Asian nations.

“The meaning of medals is not as important as the solidarity and the country's promotion.

We have hopes for it. While regional athletes seem to be stronger because they are professionals, I am sure Lao athletes will try their best for the nation,” he explained.

Many businesses, and the games committee itself, are promoting the event through local media, but it seems this is still not enough because the information has yet to catch on for all community members.

A teenager, who did not want to be named, shared her ideas with the press. She posed an interesting question.

To her way of thinking, if so many Lao viewers tuned into neighbouring countries' TV and radio stations, would it be possible to promote the games through the local media?

“We just know some information about the SEA Games through local radio, we listen at night when there is not so much news about the event,” she explained.

A student at Vientiane Secondary School, Ms Nilanda Lathsavong said if women took more care to wear a sinh (Lao skirt) when they go to religious ceremonies, offices or even shopping during SEA Games, this could teach tourists more about Lao tradition and culture.

“Smiling and greeting tourists with a “Sa Bai Dee” is very important to show we are friendly and the most important thing is that people should be enthusiastic about working for the nation and society in general, and take part in community activities,” Ms Nilanda said.

“Concerned authorities should provide information to residents to encourage them to cooperate with state and private organisations to make Vientiane charming and attractive.”

Many hope that Lao people will pay attention to being good hosts of the games.

Owner of Wasira Junction Beer Garden , Mr Wasira Chanthavongxai said as he was a proud Lao person, he usually followed Lao sports.

However, Laos sportspeople's amateur status put them at a disadvantage to professionals from other countries in this region.

However, all Lao people being of one heart would be sure to cheer them during the games, which would help a lot. “We're just proud to be the host, so don't think too much about victory.”

“Even if they win or lose, they will still have all Lao people and the government at their back, encouraging them through the games. I think this will be a good feeling for them,” he said.

Many Lao people are ready and eager to involve themselves in preparations in for the games.

With this in mind, spreading the information could bring many useful ideas for the committees or involved sectors as they seek to promote this unique opportunity.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (Lao SOC) has nearly completed preparations for the 25th SEA Games to be held in Vientiane from December 9-18.

The committee held a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday to report on preparation works on road construction projects, cleaning, security, marketing, transportation, electrical systems and logistics for athletes and teams.

The meeting was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Lao SOC, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, committee members and officials from the Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC).

Most roads and buildings for the games are now complete; however a major road in Phontong village of Chanthabouly district is yet to be finished.

Mr Somsavat said the construction company responsible for the road has been urged to finish the project promptly.

Lao SOC has reached an agreement with Lao World Company to supply food to athletes during the games.

More than 5 billion kip has been set aside to ensure Vientiane remains ship-shape during the games.

Mr Somsavat said the games will be an historic event for Laos and provide a chance to showcase the nation's beautiful cultures and traditions.

LNSC is currently busy helping athletes improve their personal bests in various training camps. Teams are training at the National Sports Training Centre, the National University of Laos and overseas facilities.

Committee members also visited the game's athlete's village on Friday.

The village, based at the National University of Laos, is now complete after construction began in July 2008.

The Hoang Anh Gia Lai Company granted US$400,000 and lent US$5 million to the Lao government to build the village.

The committee is now overseeing the laying of grass and planting of trees and flowers around the village which will officially be opened in October.

Head of the Prime Minister's Office and Director of the Athlete's Village Construction Project, Dr Boviengkham Vongdara said the village was of a high standard and contained modern facilities to ensure the comfort of all athletes.

The furnished accommo-dation includes air conditioners, laundry facilities and hot water showers.

Lao SOC is looking to purchase further laundry equipment to install at the village.

Four thousand athletes and officials will stay in the eight four-storey dormitories during the games.


By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

A member of the Lao national badminton team, Mr Phonepasith Phengsengchan, 19, is hopeful of winning a medal at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

Mr Phonepasith won a gold medal in the male junior doubles at the Kason Bangkok Chiang Mai Badminton Tournament 2005 in Thailand , which involved six countries.

He is currently training with the national squad at the Police Indoor Courts under the guidance of a Chinese coach. The team will move to the Sports Training Centre in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district, in August.

He said neighbouring countries such as Thailand and China have some of the best badminton players in the world and it will be difficult for him to defeat them at the games.

Mr Phonepasith won a gold medal in the men's team (three players) event at the eighth National Games in Champassak province last December, where he represented Saravan province.

His most recent success was a bronze medal in the men's singles open category at the Vientiane Governor's Cup held at the Thanong-at indoor court last week.

He is in his first year at the National University of Laos and began playing badminton when in lower secondary school.

Last Sunday, Mr Phonepasith won the KT Badminton Club's President's Cup by defeating his friend Mr Phanthavouth Sisomdeth 2-1 (15-10, 11-15, 15-11).

He has been training with the club since 2004. The club has many young players in the national team.

The club finished with the number one ranking at the eighth National Assembly President's Cup two years ago.

Former national players are also involved in training youngsters at the club.

The president's cup comprises senior male doubles, A and B level male doubles and the men's open singles.

The KT Badminton Club will host the cup on December 25 to celebrate the club's establishment.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

The Lao Golf Federation says the new golf course in Phokham village (km18) in Xaythany district where the SEA Games' golf tournament will take place is now 80 percent complete. A new golf course for use in the SEA Games is being built in Phokham village (km18) in Xaythany district.

Construction began in January 2008 and the three nine-hole courses will be finished by May. Only two will be used for the SEA Games.

The Booyoung Company of Korea invested about 50 billion kip (US$5 million) for construction of the 27-hole international standard golf course, which is being built on about 150 hectares of land.

Federation President Songkham Silaphet still hopes the company and the Lao government will seal the 2,250 metre road around the course and install lighting.

The federation is having difficulty clearing land around the course because some people have not yet left their homes to make way for construction.

Mr Songkham said the course would be completed in May as long as the plans did not change.

The federation says it will be able to maintain the grass on the golf course ahead of the games, despite the hot, dry weather.

Golfing events at the games comprise men's and women's singles and men's and women's teams.

The Youth Garden Golf Course at Km 14 in Hadxaifong district is not at the standard needed for international tournament play, but is where the Lao team is training in preparation for December.

Although the medal winning chances for Laos are meagre as the team lacks international experience, the federation is still hopeful of a good performance.

The federation is looking for a professional coach to train the team.

The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, based in Australia , will provide financial assistance for the Lao golf team to participate at the games.

Booyoung signed a contract with the Asean Civil Road and Bridge Construction Company of Laos to design and create the golf course. The company will also build amenities such as a restaurant and hotel, to attract tourists.

After the close of the games, the Booyoung Company will extend the course by an additional 60 hectares, to make a total of 210 hectares and 45 holes.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Photo: Mr Somsavat Lengsavad speaks at the sports committee's office.

Athlete transport and accommodation, public health and media coverage were some of the items on the agenda of the Lao National Sports Committee when it met yesterday to discuss preparations for the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The SEA Games will be held in Vientiane in December 2009, marking the first time Laos has hosted the event.

SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman and Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, spoke at the meeting and said Lao people would be proud the country was capable of planning such a large sporting event.

“Our target is to win 25 gold medals, but the athletes will have to win fairly,” he said.

“We will not stand for any cheating, especially involving drugs. If we find out that any referee has been biased then we will reprimand them.”

More than 700 cars and buses will be used to transport athletes and officials during the SEA Games, which will run from December 9-18.

Mr Somsavat said transport links were currently being upgraded and the new national football stadium in Xaythany district of Vientiane was finished and ready to use.

Lao sports officials are now selecting the best athletes in their respective sports, and China has offered to train some Lao athletes ahead of the event.

Away from the sporting field, the committee will make its final selection of female ambassadors for the SEA Games on New Year's Eve, when it will crown a number of young women with the title of Miss SEA Games.

The committee will meet again on Friday to discuss the budget for the games.

Also attending the meeting was Minister to the Prime Ministers Office and Lao National Sports Committee President, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom, and other deputy ministers.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Officials from the Lao SEA Games Organising Committee and Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sport met on Wednesday in Vientiane to discuss preparations for the 2009 SEA Games. –Photo Sisay

The Lao SEA Games Organising Committee (LAOSOC) met with delegates from the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Vientiane on Wednesday to discuss progress on preparations for the 25th SEA Games.

The meeting was chaired by Lao National Sports Committee Vice President, Mr Somphou Phongsa, and the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports' Permanent Secretary Dr Sasithara Pichaichannarong.

The two sides discussed preparations for the games including the compilation of competition technical teams, construction of training and competition facilities, traffic and transport arrangements, volunteer organisers, television broadcasting and accommodation for athletes and officials.

Thai officials reported on the progress of an indoor stadium upgrade which the Thai government is providing 43 billion kip (179 million baht) funding for. The stadium in Beungkhayong village, Sisattanak district of Vientiane will host the shuttlecock and muay events during the games.

The facility is on track for completion in October next year, the meeting was told.

Mr Somphou, on behalf of LAOSOC, thanked the Thai government for its support in upgrading the Beungkhayong indoor stadium and other preparations for the event, which will be held in December 2009.

“In preparing for the games we have also received generous support from other neighbouring countries including Vietnam and China ,” he said.

Last month a meeting of the SEA Games Federation decreed the event would consist of 390 events across the 25 sports of athletics, aquatic sports (swimming, diving and water polo), archery, badminton, billiards and snooker, boxing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and soft tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, muay, fin swimming, petanque, shuttlecock and pencak silat.

Competition venues are the national sports complex at Km 16 in Dongsanghin village, Xaythany district; Don Chan Palace; Booyoung and Olympasia indoor stadiums at the National University of Laos; Lao International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre; Chao-anouvong stadium in Anou village, Chanthabouly district; the Army stadium at Km 5 and the Vientiane Sports Department in Beungkhayong village, Sisattanak district.



By Sisay Vilaysack

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