The 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane was officially announced to thousands of athletes and officials from Asean nations on Saturday night during the closing ceremony of the 24th SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand .

The closing ceremony took place in front of 20,000 spectators in the main stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima.

All Lao athletes and officials who attended the closing ceremony of this year's SEA Games were delighted to be present, as the occasion marked not only the medals they had won but also the day when Laos took possession of the SEA Games flag ahead of the 25 th SEA Games in Vientiane in 2009....more info

The Lao delegation receiving the SEA Games flag was led by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Executive Board of the 2009 SEA Games, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad; the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, President of the Lao National Sports Committee and Lao National Olympic Committee, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom; the Vice President of the Lao National Sports Committee and National Olympic Committee, Mr Somphou Phongsa; and the Vice President and Secretary General of the Lao National Olympic Committee, Mr Souvannarath Sayavong.

After this year's SEA Games host Thailand presented the SEA Games flag to Laos , a performance by more than 400 Lao artists in five programmes followed.

The first item was a traditional dance and the song Sieng Khaen Lao , featuring the cultural traditions of Lao ethnic groups and the khaen – the country's traditional musical instrument.

The second item was the Sunrise Dance, a traditional dance modified from the Ramayana. This was first performed in Luang Prabang province and depicts the tradition of kindness, friendliness and hospitality of Lao women.

The third item portrayed the Hmong New Year, and by a dance to celebrate the harvest season.

The troupe then performed a song to welcome the 25 th SEA Games in 2009, which will take place in Vientiane .

The song told of the honour and pride the Lao people feel at hosting the SEA Games, and expressed a welcome to all Asean athletes, officials and distinguished guests.

The fifth item on the programme was a song expressing how the games will serve to strengthen relationships, friendship, solidarity and unity.

It is hoped the SEA Games will help to push Asean sports closer to world levels in the near future. In the meantime, Laos is delighted to be hosting the event and warmly welcomes all Asean members to the games in 2009.

Saturday night was an occasion not only for Lao athletes and people around the country to celebrate the passing of the SEA Games flag to Laos but also the fact that Laos had its first ever major victory at the SEA Games this year, winning 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals.

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes,

More photos: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=14622235

Photo: Eager students with Arif Khan in Vientiane

A peaceful country and a popular tourist destination with a population of about six million, famous for its beautiful water falls and ancient Buddhists Temples, Laos was the home for an Olympic Solidarity course from 7th to 10th June 2007.

Led by Pakistan Arif Khan, organised under the auspices of the ITTF Development Programme and with an ITTF Level One Coaches course being the curriculum; a successful itinerary was completed in the Sports Hall of Laos National University in Vientiane... more info


Popularity
Table tennis is the third most popular sport in this country after football and badminton・ said Arif Khan. Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation have been doing a great deal to develop and popularise the sport in Laos; this was the fourth course that was arranged in the last four years.・br>
Enthusiasm
A total of sixteen coaches came from all parts of the country to attend this course. 鄭ll the coaches showed a lot of interest in learning everything about the game・ continued Arif Khan. 溺ost of the classes went on longer than scheduled owing to the enthusiasm shown by the coaches, as they tried to get more information; seven coaches out of sixteen passed the examination.・br>
Good Organisation
The enthusiasm motivated Arif Khan who clearly appreciated the efforts that had been made to run a successful programme.

The course was very well organised and all the facilities were excellent; this was all due to the efforts of Mr. Kasem Inthara the General Secretary of Laos National Olympic Committee and Mr. Phimmasone Vilaysouk General Secretary of the Laos Table Tennis Association・ continued Arif Khan. However, the person who really worked hard and made sure that everything ran smoothly was the untiring Miss Somchai Vongsa; she is not only the back bone of the national table tennis association but also the Deputy Secretary.

Positive Effect
Good organisation is the key to success and is having a positive effect in Laos.

典he Laos Table Tennis Association seems to be doing well in raising the standard of the game amongst the juniors; they recently hired a Chinese coach to train their junior players to prepare for the South East Asia Junior Table Tennis Championships which they are organising in Vientiane from 15th to 19th June 2007・ explained Arif Khan. 典hey will be sending their team to train for two months in China this year to prepare for the South East Asia Junior Table Tennis Championships which is going to be held in December.
However, the main focus at the moment is the South East Asia Games which Laos will organize in 2009 and are most certainly they will be hoping to end proceedings with a medal haul.

Thanks
There is a very positive attitude in Laos at the moment and the officials are thankful for the support given.

泥r. Phouthong Sengakhom the President of Laos Olympic Association, Miss Sengduen Lachanthaboun President of Laos Table Tennnis Association, Mr. Kasem Inthara General Secretary Laos Olympic Committee and Mr. Phimmsone Vilaysouk General Secretary Laos Table Tennis Association have very kindly told me to thank Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation・ said Arid Khan. 摘specially they asked me to thank Mr. Adham Sharara ITTF President and Mr. Glenn Tepper ITTF Development Manager for providing them the opportunity to develop the game in Laos.・br>
Seizing the Chance
The opportunity has been provided but Laos is making the most of the opportunity.

的t is through the efforts of Mr Adham Sharara and Mr Glenn Tepper that further growth is possible, thus the standard of play not only in the Vientiane region will improve but they will progress internationally・ continued Arif Khan. 擢urthermore, they hope that Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation will further extend their co-operation and will help provide technical assistance in organising the 2009 South East Asia Games successfully.

No doubt they will receive whatever support is needed but it would seem they have a very good organisation in Laos, and whatever help is afforded, however great or small, the 2009 South East Asia Games will be a success.

Source: www.ittf.com

The government of Laos finally adopted these white elephant mascots to be used for the Southeast Asian Games (SEA GAMES) in Laos 2009. It is the 25th aniversary of SEA GAMES and also the first time in Laos history to organize such big event. This is also the first time in SEA GAMES history to use 2 mascots in one event, that are: Thao "Champee" & Nang "Champa" (Mr.Champee and Ms. champa), which symbolize Lao national flower and the good luck for this game.



Photo: laosportfc