Games sets record for multinational cooperation
The 25th SEA Games to be held in Vientiane from December 9-18 marks record cooperation between Laos and many countries.
This year is the 50th founding anniversary of the SEA Games Federation, and although Laos is one of the founding countries, it has never before hosted the sports event.
The Lao National Sports Committee (LNSC) held a meeting at the International Cooperation Training Centre in Vientiane last Wednesday to report on readiness for the games.
The meeting was attended by LNSC President and SEA Games Organising Committee Vice Chairman Dr Phouthong Seng-Akhom, ambassadors to Laos and senior government officials.
Dr Phouthong said the Lao people were very proud to have the privilege of hosting the event and being entrusted with such a major occasion by SEA Games member countries. He hoped those countries would all support the events in Laos .
There are now only 74 days until the opening of the SEA Games in Vientiane .
Dr Phouthong said he hoped Laos would show its best face in organising the games, and pointed to a significant level of readiness in accommodation and sports venues.
He said many spectators would be keen to watch the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.
More than 1,000 volunteers and liaison officials are ready to welcome and assist guests during the games.
The National Stadium and other venues are almost complete, with the remaining work expected to be finished by mid-October.
What was more important than winning medals was for Laos to be the best possible host for guests coming from neighbouring countries, Dr Phouthong said.
The LNSC has been arranging accommodation, with 148 hotels providing 6,600 rooms in Vientiane .
As for accommodation for the official teams participating in the events, the LNSC is preparing dormitories in the SEA Games Village , which will have 4,000 beds.
The SEA Games Organising Committee will hold a food festival at the Village next month, which will be attended by members of the diplomatic corps. The committee could assist ambassadors who were interested in visiting the stadiums and other sport venues.
The organising committee has many vehicles ready to transport special guests, athletes and officials during the games and will also offer vehicles for rent.
The games consist of 383 events in 25 sports, including track and field, swimming, football, archery, cycling, racket sports and martial arts, among others.
The LNSC will provide cheerleading teams for each country to boost morale and add to the overall atmosphere of the games.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
September 25, 2009
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