25th SEA Games, Laos

The Lao National Sports Committee will deploy more than 4,000 volunteers and liaison officials to assist at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

Currently, some 2,600 volunteers and liaison officials are undertaking training at the National University of Laos (NUOL).

Many of the volunteers are students from the university and other colleges in Vientiane .

The volunteers and liaison officials will be split into teams responsible for promotional activities, welcoming athletes and delegates, marketing and other works.

Dean of the Faculty of Letters at NUOL, Associate Prof Dr Bouasavanh Keovilay said further training courses will be organised this month.

Around 120 teachers from the university will manage the volunteer and liaison teams during the event.

Dr Bouasavanh said 27 females and males will be selected to make announcements at events during the games.

The volunteer and liaison teams will work together with the Miss SEA Games ambassadors to ensure all guests are well taken care of.

A training course for the groups commenced last Wednesday at the university, conducted by Vice President of the Lao National Sports Committee, Mr Somphou Phongsa.

At the five day course, participants will learn about the history of the SEA Games, the sports included in this year's games, general knowledge, as well as Lao culture, history, and tourist attractions.

Mr Somphou said the groups play an important role in ensuring the games run smoothly.

The volunteers were involved in an extensive selection process before being chosen. Excellent English language and general knowledge skills were required.

Registration is still open for those interested in working as liaison staff or volunteers during the games. Applications close at the end of this month.

The university is seeking more than one billion kip from the government to fund the training courses for the volunteers ahead of the games.

Volunteers will look after guests to the games. During the games themselves, liaison staff will accompany athletes as they travel from one venue to another and assist with public security.


By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Photo: Volunteers and liaison officers attend the training course at National University of Laos.

More than 1,200 students from the National University of Laos (NUOL) are currently attending a training course to prepare for the duties they will perform at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.

The 807 volunteers and 411 liaison officers were selected for the training course after been interviewed by teachers from the university's Department of English in February and March.

An opening ceremony for the training course was held on Wednesday at the university and was attended by Vice President of the Lao National Sports committee (LNSC), Mr Somphou Phongsa, and senior teachers from NUOL.

NUOL President Dr Soukkongseng Saignaleuth said the course aimed to make sure the students would be able to do their work at the games efficiently and be of help to visitors and athletes .

He said the students would study the cultures and customs of other Asean member countries.

Topics for the training course include the history of the SEA Games, tourism in the region, Lao culture, English language, geography, history, and the roles and responsibilities of volunteers and liaison officers.

The course will run until March 31 and is being taught by Mr Somphou and teachers from NUOL.

The volunteers will be divided into four groups of about 200 each, while the liaison officers will be split into two groups.

A further 2,000 volunteers are needed for the games and the NUOL is currently in the process of going through more than 6,000 applications from students wanting to be a part of the games. Teachers will select a further 2,000 students, who will then take a similar training course.

The university is seeking more than one billion kip in funding for the training courses from the government.

The LNSC will delegate responsibilities and duties to a total of 3,000 volunteers and liaison officers in June.

By working at the SEA Games, the students will gain valuable experience and be able to help tighten the bonds of friendship between Laos and other countries in the reg ion.

Volunteers will take care of official guests and dignitaries during the games, while liaison officers will accompany athletes as they travel between venues, and help with public security.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes