Athletes' welfare tops chairman's concerns
Standing Deputy Prime Minster and SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Somsavat Lengsavad met with the SEA Games Organising Committee yesterday to assess the progress of work related to the games.
The chairman's inquiries focused on broadcasting rights, the construction of infrastructure, management of athletes' health and welfare, liaison with local and visiting officials and volunteers, communicating with local media and preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies.
He said the welfare of athletes remained a major challenge.
The chairman had brought the topic to the attention of the meeting after visiting Lao athletes training in China .
He found some athletes there did not have enough clothes for the colder climate, with some of them falling ill.
“I had already told all federations to take greater care of our athletes, yet nothing happened after my order,” Mr Somsavat said.
He added that he was lucky to have the chance to visit them, and he pitied their situation.
“I had to provide some money from my own budget to buy them some more clothes to keep warm.”
Mr Somsavat said he wanted Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh to visit the athletes himself in the future to see the reality of their life.
Other major problems were the road construction to the National Stadium being delayed by some technical problems.
Vientiane Vice Mayor Bounchanh Sinthavong reported to the meeting that most of the road was now finished, but there were some problems with the section in front of the stadium.
He had asked the engineers and construction teams to deal with the problems as quickly as possible.
Mr Somsavat also asked for better communication with engineers to find a way to complete the road on time.
Chairman of the SEA Games Opening and Closing Ceremony Committee, Mr Bouangeun Saphouvong, also raised some issues.
Thousands of performers are practising at the National Stadium, which is affecting the condition of the grass surface.
He said even as the grass was being spoilt, the performers must continue to rehearse at the stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies.
“We can't stop practising there and move to another stadium, because we have to rehearse in the actual place where we're going to perform, so we have to find a way to solve this problem,” he said.
Mr Somsavat advised the director of the stadium to talk with experts and engineers there to ensure the grass would recover in time for the games.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
October 27 , 2009
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