25th SEA Games, Laos

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

Photo: Miss Vanphakone Insouvong ( right ) and Miss SEA Games representatives pose at the committee's office.

The Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) will select 11 Miss SEA Games representatives at the committee's office on Saturday to carry placards bearing the names of the 11 countries participating in the 25th SEA Games.

The 11 ladies will parade the placards around the main stadium during the games in Vientiane in December.

They will be selected from a group of 100 selected by the Ministry of Information and Culture (MIC) last year.

The group is currently improving their general knowledge, awareness of Lao culture and dancing skills, and will dance to songs specially chosen for the games. They are also touring important sites around the capital.

Most of the group are students at the National University of Laos or other institutions in the capital.

At the committee's office on Saturday, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Buangeun Xaphouvong presented the group of 100 to LNSC Vice President Bualane Silypanya.

The LNSC will teach the ladies about the technical aspects of each sport to be contested at the games.

Mr Buangeun said the group had shown good patience with their training, were confident about performing in public and had a good knowledge of social and economic topics.

They were also culturally aware and knew how to behave with diplomatic guests after receiving training relating to appropriate attire, speech and presentation.

He said the group would be able to use their knowledge to ensure the games were a success and to gain future employment.

Mr Bualane said the ladies would work with more than 3,000 volunteers and liaison staff to ensure the games run smoothly.

The 3,000 volunteers and liaison staff are students and officials from the National University of Laos, colleges, schools and ministries in the capital.

Mr Bualane said the Miss SEA Games representatives would be involved in welcoming important guests and presenting medals to athletes.

One Miss SEA Games representative, Miss Vanphakone Insouvong, is confident of her ability to carry out her duties after receiving training from the MIC.

She was very proud to represent the Lao people at this historic event, which would be a good opportunity for Laos to show it could host future international sporting events.

She said she was ready to be involved in the games and hoped to be one of the 11 selected to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies.

Miss Vanphakone lives in Donekoy village in Sisattanak district. She is currently in her fifth year of a degree in dentistry at the University of Health Sciences .

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes