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SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Somsavat Lengsavad said yesterday the games will raise Lao sport to a higher level because of the enthusiasm shown by local people in supporting Lao athletes.
“SEA Games fever has shown that people want to cheer for and support their athletes in popular sports so this leads me to believe Lao sport will improve,” he said.
Mr Somsavat said many foreigners had told him they couldn't believe that Lao people could be so interested in the games. “I don't want to congratulate my own country but many national leaders in this region have congratulated us on our good preparations and infrastructure which has contributed to the success of the games so far.”
He said many delegations had also congratulated him on the standard of the various sports venues including those used for shooting and table tennis, saying they were better than those in other countries in the region.
“They also said we should organise other international sports events in the future.”
Mr Somsavat said he was proud of the way local people welcomed various visitors during the games with warm smiles and hospitality. He also congratulated Lao athletes, saying the SEA Games was an important event in the history of Laos .
“Our athletes have done well, winning many gold, silver and bronze medals even though the games are still not over. Laos has never had such medal success. But this time we are the hosts so our athletes trained hard for this victory.”
Mr Somsavat talked about the Lao footballers, saying they had played very well to be in the semi-finals. In the past, Laos had never reached the semi-finals.
“Today, I can say our footballers have greatly improved because of their dedicated training. They are trying to do their best, especially as we are the hosts of this event.”
He urged people to continue to show their support for Lao athletes until the end of the games, saying cheering was the best source of energy and inspiration as they pursued their medal quest.
“All Lao people should show their support right up until the end of the games. And we should continue to give visitors a warm and polite welcome, as well as taking care of the environment so the country looks its best for all delegations, guests and tourists visiting Laos,” he said.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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Photo: Thai U-23 team
Vietnam and Thailand have confirmed they will not send their national men's under-23 football teams to participate in the pre-SEA Games tournament here next month.
However, both nations will send their national U-19 squads to take part in the event.
The Football Association of Thailand confirmed that their under-23 team cannot participate in the pre-SEA Games event because many players are committed to playing in the ongoing Thai Premier League.
The Vietnam under-23 team is busy training for the SEA Games in December and does not want to disrupt its preparations.
General Secretary of the Lao Football Federation, Mr Soulivanh Xeunvilay, said yesterday “Despite Vietnam and Thailand confirming their intention to send their U-19 squads instead of their U-23 teams, the date and schedule of the pre-SEA Games tournament will not change.”
“ Malaysia has confirmed they will send their U-23 squad to compete in the event,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Malaysian national under-23 side completed a tour of the Middle East with a scoreless draw against Jordan , a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 defeat to a Saudi club side, according to the Asean Football Federation
The changes will see under-23 teams from Laos and Malaysia compete against under-19 squads from Vietnam and Thailand at the pre-SEA Games tournament next month.
The tournament is scheduled for October 2-6 with the aim of testing television broadcasting systems and facilities at the new national stadium, which has a 20,000 seat capacity and will also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the games in December.
On October 2, Laos will take on Thailand , and Vietnam will play Malaysia . October 4 will see Malaysia up against Thailand and Laos facing Vietnam , while the last day of the tournament will pit Laos against Malaysia and Vietnam with Thailand .
Games will kick off at 4:30pm and 7pm. All matches will be broadcast live on Lao National Television.
Tickets for the tournament will be sold for 40,000 kip for general admission and 80,000 kip for VIP seating.
The event presents a good opportunity for teams to catch a glimpse of the form of their opponents before the big event in December.
SEA Games rules mean players in the men's football event must be 23 years old or younger. The women's football event does not have an age limit for players.
By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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Photo: Lao’s Thongmala Viengphane, left, carries the ball against Cambodia during their bronze medal match Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, at the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. Lao defeated Cambodia 15-0 for the bronze medal
(KPL) The rules for the 25th South East Asian Games will be written by representatives of Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, following a meeting of the SEA Games Sports and Rules Committee in Vientiane this week.
The officials will formulate the rules for the competition organising and programmes, which will be presented to SEA Games meeting in November, along with the list of sports to be competed at the event.
Lao SEA Games Sports and Rule Committee Chairman Mr Souvannarath Saignavong said the national sports committee wishes to hold more than 25 sporting events to meet the requests of all countries, but we believe this is impossible to do that.
“Many countries are interested in assisting Laos to host the 25th SEA Games, and believe Laos would be able to host the event successfully,” said Mr. Souvannarath.
Last April’s first SEA Games meeting approved 25 sports for the Vientiane Games.
These include swimming and diving, wrestling, track and field, badminton, rugby, boxing, football, futsal, golf, judo, karatedo, petanque, sepak takraw, billiard and snooker, shooting, muay, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, boat racing, wushu, pencak silat, shuttlecock, volleyball and beach volleyball.
Monday, September 15, 2008
