Category: Fun & Games

Vientiane: Laos is set to host two major international table tennis tournaments-the 4th WTT Youth Contender and the 2nd WTT Feeder Series 2026-from July 30 to August 8 at the Lao-ITECC Mall in Vientiane. The Lao National Table Tennis Federation (LNTTF) announced its readiness during a press conference on July 25, saying the events underscore the country’s growing reputation as a host of international sporting competitions.

According to Lao News Agency, LNTTF Vice President Olatai Santikhongkha said Laos has earned the confidence of World Table Tennis (WTT) and the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) through the successful organization of previous tournaments that met international standards. The 10-day competition has attracted 403 participants from 22 countries, including 320 athletes competing in youth and senior categories. Organizers said entries for the men’s senior competition exceeded the allocated quota, reflecting the tournament’s growing popularity.

As the host nation, Laos will field 70 athletes and
coaches in the youth events for competitors aged 9 to 19, along with 16 participants in the senior division. The tournaments will feature singles and mixed doubles events in the Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, and senior categories, with athletes competing for 32 championship titles.

Officials said hosting the events will raise Laos’ profile in international sport while giving local players valuable opportunities to compete against leading young talents and elite athletes from around the world on home soil.

Vientiane: The Ministry of Finance on January 29, 2026, convened a meeting to review financial performance in 2025 and outline priorities for 2026, under the theme ‘Uphold the Party’s leadership, strengthen self-reliance, modernize financial management, and drive strong, green and sustainable socio-economic development.’

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Santhiphab Phomvihane, Minister of Finance, and attended by deputy ministers, representatives from provincial finance departments, and relevant sectors. Addressing the meeting, Mr. Santhiphab noted that 2025 marked the final year of implementing the resolutions of the 11th Party National Congress and the 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025). Despite challenges in both the international and domestic environment, the Lao economy continued to grow through strong efforts and increased responsibility at central and local levels under Party and Government leadership.

He reported that economic growth in 2025
reached 4.8 percent, with an average growth rate of 4.24 percent over the five-year period. Inflation declined to single digits, at approximately 8.8 percent, while overall macroeconomic stability was maintained. Poverty reduction progressed in line with targets, regional and international economic integration advanced steadily, and the country continued to attract investment and development assistance.

In the financial sector, the implementation of the state budget achieved notable results, laying a solid foundation for future development. However, the Minister emphasized that several challenges remain and require further improvements to ensure financial and budgetary management is efficient, modern, and responsive to the country’s evolving development needs.

The meeting also reviewed resolutions, decrees, laws, and reports to support implementation of the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the 2026 state budget. Particular attention was given to preparations for 2026, when the Lao
PDR is expected to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and will no longer benefit from certain trade, investment, financial, and technical assistance privileges. Looking ahead to 2035, Laos aims to achieve upper-middle-income status, with targeted economic growth averaging 6-7 percent and per capita income reaching USD 4,600-5,000 annually.

For the 2026 state budget, the meeting stressed the need to raise government revenue to 20.02 percent of GDP, focusing on strengthening tax and duty collection, expanding new revenue sources, improving logistics-related revenues, modernizing revenue databases, reducing exemptions inconsistent with legal frameworks, and applying modern revenue collection tools.

On the expenditure side, participants emphasized continued strict budget discipline from planning through inspection, prioritizing efficient use of limited resources, restructuring the budget toward balance and surplus, reducing unnecessary recurrent spending, improving expenditure procedures, expand
ing electronic disbursement through the banking system, and strengthening post-disbursement inspections to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Vientiane: The Lao National Olympic Committee (LNOC) held its full Executive Board meeting for 2025 on January 28, 2026, to review the implementation of the 2025 action plan and outline key priorities for 2026.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek, President of the Lao National Olympic Committee and Minister of Education and Sports. Participants included former LNOC presidents, advisory board members, executive board members, administrators of National Sports Federations, and relevant stakeholders.

The meeting reviewed the LNOC’s performance over the past year, identifying achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, while setting directions for priority tasks in 2026. Reports were presented on the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 action plans, the committee’s financial situation, the operation of the Olympic Sports Promotion Fund, and outstanding tasks of the Lao National Olympic Committee and National Sports Federations.

Participants actively contributed
constructive and frank feedback, jointly proposing solutions to strengthen the national sports system. Discussions also emphasized promoting sports development at both domestic and international levels, alongside the preservation of traditional sports and the promotion of sports-linked tourism in 2026.

On the occasion, Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek instructed relevant departments and the meeting secretariat to revise reports in line with feedback and to widely disseminate the outcomes of the meeting within their respective areas of responsibility. He called on each National Sports Federation to take ownership in developing action plans and organizing competitions as part of a revitalization process, with broader participation from all sectors of society, while regularly reporting progress to the Lao National Olympic Committee.

He also directed LNOC committees, particularly the Technical Committee, to coordinate closely with National Sports Federations to strengthen organizational management and establish system
atic and targeted athlete development plans. The Information Committee was tasked with collecting and disseminating results from domestic and international competitions to reach youth and women, with the aim of encouraging wider participation in physical exercise and sports.

Over the past year, the Lao National Olympic Committee, together with National Sports Federations and affiliated committees, has made continued efforts to advance sports and physical education, organizing domestic competitions and participating in sub-regional and international events as appropriate.

Vientiane: The Lao National Olympic Committee (LNOC) held its full Executive Board meeting for 2025 on January 28, 2026, to review the implementation of the 2025 action plan and outline key priorities for 2026.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek, President of the Lao National Olympic Committee and Minister of Education and Sports. Participants included former LNOC presidents, advisory board members, executive board members, administrators of National Sports Federations, and relevant stakeholders.

The meeting reviewed the LNOC’s performance over the past year, identifying achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, while setting directions for priority tasks in 2026. Reports were presented on the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 action plans, the committee’s financial situation, the operation of the Olympic Sports Promotion Fund, and outstanding tasks of the Lao National Olympic Committee and National Sports Federations.

Participants actively contributed
constructive and frank feedback, jointly proposing solutions to strengthen the national sports system. Discussions also emphasized promoting sports development at both domestic and international levels, alongside the preservation of traditional sports and the promotion of sports-linked tourism in 2026.

On the occasion, Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek instructed relevant departments and the meeting secretariat to revise reports in line with feedback and to widely disseminate the outcomes of the meeting within their respective areas of responsibility. He called on each National Sports Federation to take ownership in developing action plans and organizing competitions as part of a revitalization process, with broader participation from all sectors of society, while regularly reporting progress to the Lao National Olympic Committee.

He also directed LNOC committees, particularly the Technical Committee, to coordinate closely with National Sports Federations to strengthen organizational management and establish system
atic and targeted athlete development plans. The Information Committee was tasked with collecting and disseminating results from domestic and international competitions to reach youth and women, with the aim of encouraging wider participation in physical exercise and sports.

Over the past year, the Lao National Olympic Committee, together with National Sports Federations and affiliated committees, has made continued efforts to advance sports and physical education, organizing domestic competitions and participating in sub-regional and international events as appropriate.