Lao volleyball players hope to ace friendly competition

The first friendly volleyball competition at the indoor stadium from November 3-7 will improve the Lao team's tactics this year before they face the major challenge of the 25th SEA Games at home in December.

In the past, the team lacked proper experience at the regional and international levels.

Currently, the men's team is training at the Nongtha village court and at the indoor stadium in preparation for the friendly event.

The Lao Volleyball Federation has invited rival teams from Thailand , Vietnam , and Cambodia to compete.

Federation Secretary Sichanh Chittapanya said they had received a positive response from the Thai team, but are still waiting for replies from the Vietnamese and Cambodian teams.

Mr Sichan said the federation will invite a team from Myanmar to the competition if Vietnam and Cambodia cannot participate.

He said the Lao players will try their best in the competition and have a good chance of beating their opponents.

The team would like to be as ready as possible for the competition and will look for experience from neighbouring countries before participating in the big event in December.

Teams from Indonesia , Vietnam and Myanmar will be strong competitors in the SEA Games this year.

Unfortunately, the federation cannot enter a women's team because it lacks sufficient funds.

However, the Lao women's team gained useful experience at the Asean Volleyball Championship in Bangkok , Thailand , from October 4-11.

Mr Sichan said they would struggle to reach the semi-finals at the SEA Games.

Still, the upcoming competition will assist in the development of the federation's officials and referees, and will make sure the indoor stadium is up to standard before the SEA Games.

The volleyball teams are being trained by Chinese coach Yin Ming, while the beach volleyball team is benefiting from the direction of another Chinese coach, Mrs Qin Wen Hui.

Lao volleyball teams competed in the 18th SEA Games in Thailand in 1995, the 22nd games in Vietnam in 2003 and the 24th games in Thailand in 2007, but have yet to be rewarded with a medal.

 

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
October16, 2009

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