7/06/2009
By EDWARD THANGARAJAH
Bangkok Post
Laos is one of the founder members of the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (Seap), and will host this year's silver-jubilee biennial celebration, the 25th in the series.
The 40 million-strong nation will host the 25-sports event in its historic capital Vientiane.
To bless and support this maiden venture by Laos, the full complement of 11 member nations: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have agreed to take part in the celebration.
The Games were launched in 1959 from December 12-17 and Burma, Laos, Malaya, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam took part with 527 athletes in 12 sports. Thailand hosted.
The Games continued to be held until the 8th SEAP Games which again Thailand hosted in 1971.
With interest expanding, and more nations and athletes being attracted to the celebration, thanks to the friendship, goodwill and camaraderie which spread in the region, Seap expanded to accommodate Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.
From the ninth edition held in Malaysia 1977, it was known as the Southeast Asian Games (Sea Games).
Popularity for the Games soared for many reasons. Besides being known as the friendliest celebration, it helped expose the rich histories of nations, their culture and what had made them stand out in the world of sports.
As the then doyen of sports in the region, the late Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya used to say: "The Sea Games' composition , participation and outlook is unique. It's not easy for any celebration to match it."
The motto of this year's Games is "inculcate generosity, create amity and to inspire the youth to a healthy lifestyle."
A high-powered organising committee headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Somsavath Lengsawat has been set up. Mr.Somsavath is chairman of the committee.
The Minister attached to the prime minister's office, who is president of the National Olympic Committee of Laos, Phouthong Sengakhom, is the president of the Sea Games Federation and vice-chairman of the Laosoc.
Laos also has three members of the Sea Games Federation council: Somphou Phongsa, Phouvanh Vongsuthi and Southanam Inthavong. They are in charge of the Games.
According to Santiparb Techavanija, who is providing technical assistance and is helping with televising the celebration, everything has fallen beautifully in place and the Games are already set to go.
Many countries have come forward to help Laos to make their maiden event memorable and outstanding.
A number of countries, headed by China, have contributed to the construction of the facilities for the celebration. Thanks to China, Laos has a 100 million dollar sports complex. Vietnam has contributed 10 million dollars to build the athletes' dormitory.
Japan has helped build the judo and karatedo arena, Korea has constructed the indoor stadium for taekwondo and Thailand has set up the stadium for Muay Thai.
"There will be 62 training and competition arenas at the 33 venues which are under construction. Over 80% of the work has been completed and by the time the Games arrive in December, Laos will be more than ready to host their first ever multiple celebration in grand style," said Santiparb.
The 40 million-strong nation will host the 25-sports event in its historic capital Vientiane.
To bless and support this maiden venture by Laos, the full complement of 11 member nations: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have agreed to take part in the celebration.
The Games were launched in 1959 from December 12-17 and Burma, Laos, Malaya, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam took part with 527 athletes in 12 sports. Thailand hosted.
The Games continued to be held until the 8th SEAP Games which again Thailand hosted in 1971.
With interest expanding, and more nations and athletes being attracted to the celebration, thanks to the friendship, goodwill and camaraderie which spread in the region, Seap expanded to accommodate Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.
From the ninth edition held in Malaysia 1977, it was known as the Southeast Asian Games (Sea Games).
Popularity for the Games soared for many reasons. Besides being known as the friendliest celebration, it helped expose the rich histories of nations, their culture and what had made them stand out in the world of sports.
As the then doyen of sports in the region, the late Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya used to say: "The Sea Games' composition , participation and outlook is unique. It's not easy for any celebration to match it."
The motto of this year's Games is "inculcate generosity, create amity and to inspire the youth to a healthy lifestyle."
A high-powered organising committee headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Somsavath Lengsawat has been set up. Mr.Somsavath is chairman of the committee.
The Minister attached to the prime minister's office, who is president of the National Olympic Committee of Laos, Phouthong Sengakhom, is the president of the Sea Games Federation and vice-chairman of the Laosoc.
Laos also has three members of the Sea Games Federation council: Somphou Phongsa, Phouvanh Vongsuthi and Southanam Inthavong. They are in charge of the Games.
According to Santiparb Techavanija, who is providing technical assistance and is helping with televising the celebration, everything has fallen beautifully in place and the Games are already set to go.
Many countries have come forward to help Laos to make their maiden event memorable and outstanding.
A number of countries, headed by China, have contributed to the construction of the facilities for the celebration. Thanks to China, Laos has a 100 million dollar sports complex. Vietnam has contributed 10 million dollars to build the athletes' dormitory.
Japan has helped build the judo and karatedo arena, Korea has constructed the indoor stadium for taekwondo and Thailand has set up the stadium for Muay Thai.
"There will be 62 training and competition arenas at the 33 venues which are under construction. Over 80% of the work has been completed and by the time the Games arrive in December, Laos will be more than ready to host their first ever multiple celebration in grand style," said Santiparb.
1 comment:
You are wrong. Lao is not a 40-milli7n nation. Its populatpon is less than 7 millions.
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