With little movement among the world's top teams in November's FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, little Laos stole the show by soaring up 28 places to 162nd in the global pecking order.

In doing so, the tiny South-East Asian nation became the second-best movers after Jamaica, who made an incredible 33-place leap to 83rd courtesy of their solitary-goal victories over Mexico and Honduras in qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Laos, for their part, made the best climb in their history due to a streak of brilliant displays in qualifying for December's AFF Suzuki Cup, previously known as the Tiger Cup...more info>>

Although qualifying for a major international or continental competition remains merely a dream for Laos, they are by no means strangers on the regional stage, having figured in each of the past six editions of the Tiger Cup, starting in 1996. Under Russian boss Valeri Vdovin, they took October's qualifying campaign by storm to book their seventh consecutive appearance at the regional showpiece.

A narrow 3-2 loss to hosts Cambodia was not what Vdovin's young charges had hoped for in their opening qualifying game on 17 October, but they staged a major comeback four days later, pulling off a 2-1 win over the Philippines to set their campaign back on track. From there, they went on to dispatch Brunei 3-2 before rounding off with a 2-1 victory over Timor Leste, a result which earned them the first qualifying spot.

Laos' impressive run didn't go unnoticed by Cambodia coach Prak Sovannara, who was full of praise for Vdovin's dynamic outfit. "Laos are a very strong team, perhaps the best team in this tournament," said the hosts' manager.

One team, two tasks
The qualifying success was a testament to the nation's recent development program, which has included the signing of Vdovin in July and the launching of a training camp based in Hong Anh Gia Lai, a hotbed of football in neighbouring Vietnam. And the Suzuki Cup qualifying achievement is even more impressive when one considers that Vdovin's troops in Cambodia were an U-23 side, who are currently preparing intensely for next year's South-East Asian (SEA) Games.

In a long run, the major task for Vdovin and his team is to break new ground at the 2009 SEA Games, of which they are hosts for the first time. But with their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign kicking off on 5 December in Thailand's Phuket, the Russian tactician is aware that they have some urgent expectations to live up to.

Laos have been drawn in Group B, which also features Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, strong teams who are all capable of mounting a serious challenge for the tournament. As if this were not daunting enough, Vdovin's major concern is that he will have to stick with the same U-23 side against opponents who will all field senior national teams.

"The boys have been working very hard, it's worth considering how much progress we have made," Vdovin said to the media prior to their first game against Malaysia this weekend.

Laos have rarely been considered more than whipping boys at this level, and they had a forgettable campaign in the last edition of the tournament two years ago, when they conceded 23 goals in three group games to crash out. Vdovin, however, has higher ambitions this time around.

"It is crucial that we tighten up the defense and sharpen the finishing," he explained. "We are a young team, so we need to concentrate on keeping our shape and minimizing mistakes, now that we are competing at a higher level."

Source:Fifa.com

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