25th SEA Games, Laos

Ministry reviews progress of preparations

The Ministry of Information and Culture has reviewed the progress of preparations for the 25th SEA Games to be held in December, including the opening and closing ceremonies and live telecasts.

The meeting was held at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane on Friday, chaired by Minister Mounkeo Oraboun and attended by more than 60 senior ministry officials.

During the meeting Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara reported on the progress of human resources preparation, especially training courses for cameramen and photographers as well as preparing the media centre.

Dr Bosengkham explained the ministry had bought international standard equipment to disseminate information and make television and radio broadcasts.

The ministry will use 16 outside broadcasting vans during the games, with most to come from Vietnam .

Dr Bosengkham also talked about transportation of media personnel and liaison staff to assist at the press centre during the games.

During the meeting Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Buangeun Saphouvong reported on the progress of preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies and what was being done to raise public awareness of these events.

So far the ministry has completed 70 percent of its preparations for these ceremonies, which will consist of songs and traditional and international dances.

The ceremonies will involve more than 8,000 people, including junior and senior performers. The songs that will be sung have been selected and most of them recorded on CD and DVD.

In addition, more than 100 Miss SEA Games representatives have been selected, to carry the flags of the competing nations and help guests during the games. A competition to select announcers for the opening and closing ceremonies will be held soon to select the best and most talented individuals to perform this role.

As Laos hosts the 25th SEA Games this year, it will also be celebrating the games' 50th anniversary.

Mr Mounkeo said Laos was proud to host the SEA Games and the government would try to be a good host and to ensure the games were friendly.

The event would raise the profile of Laos on the international stage and was a great honour for the country. It would help to develop Laos into an industrial country and bring in more business in the future.

Mr Mounkeo said Laos was preparing to be a good host in welcoming guests from many neighbouring countries.

Laos would be vigilant in keeping the country safe and keeping towns clean. Everyone was working together to maintain public security and was looking forward to receiving guests.
The minister also talked about promotion of the fine Lao traditions and culture among visitors to the games in order to promote tourism in the country.



By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong