Lao youngsters sweep the field in petanque

Two young Lao petanque players won gold medals in the women's doubles event at the NUOL Dongdok campus petanque ground yesterday after they defeated their Thai opponents 13-7 in the final round.

In the semi-finals which were also played yesterday, Ms Manivan Souliya, 16, and Ms Noytavan Paseuth, also 16, beat their Cambodian opponents 13-11, while the Thai team defeated Vietnam 13-7.

In the selection round last Sunday, Manivan and Noytavan beat Thailand 13-5, Vietnam 13-10, and Malaysia 13-8, but lost to Cambodia 1-13.

Manivan comes from Saphanxay village in Pakxe district, Champassak province, and attends Saphanxay Secondary School , while Noytavan was born in Phangdeng village, Xaysettha district, in Attapeu province.

This is the first time Noytavan has played on the national team. She joined after she won a gold medal in the women's doubles at the 8th National Games in Champassak province last year when she represented Attapeu province.

Manivan joined the national team after she competed in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, where her medal attempt was unsuccessful.

Lao Petanque Federation President Khammoui Keomany said the pair played much better yesterday than in their earlier match on Sunday.

Mr Khammoui said the team's aim now was to win a gold medal in the women's doubles after failing in the mixed event.

Petanque events taking place this week comprise men's and women's team (three players), men's team (two males and one female) and women's team (two females and one male).

Mr Khammoui said the players would compete in all these events and would do their utmost to succeed.

Manivan and Noytavan said they were delighted to have won gold medals for their country.

On the same day, two Lao male players lost to Vietnam 11-13 in the semi-final of the men's doubles.

In shooting, gold medalists in the 24th SEA Games, Mr Vatthanaxay Khamphavong and Ms Chansamone Vongsavath, lost to Cambodia 3-13 in the semifinal round of the mixed event.

Results of yesterday's petanque events:

Women's doubles: Laos takes gold.

Thailand wins silver.

Cambodia and Vietnam win bronze.

Mixed: Thailand wins gold.

Cambodia wins silver.

Laos and Vietnam take bronze.

Men's doubles: Thailand wins gold.

Vietnam wins silver.

Laos and Malaysia win bronze.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update Decembe 15, 2009)