Thousands of people turned out on Dec 13 at the main stadium of Xieng Khuang Province for the opening of the 11th National Games being hosted in the northern province.
President Thongloun Sisoulith, other government leaders, Governor of Xieng Khuang Bounchanh Sivongphanh, and representatives of relevant authorities also joined the ceremony.
Addressing the launching ceremony, President Thongloun expressed his belief that the national games will play an important role in developing human resources in the country.
Scheduled for Dec 13-22, this year edition of the National Games draws a total of 3,093 athletes from 17 provinces, Vientiane and four ministries. The athletes will compete for 2,598 medals.
“The 11th National Games was originally scheduled to take place in 2018. However, preparations including the construction of sport venues experienced delays. In 2019, major flooding caused the games to be delayed for second time. Meanwhile, in 2020 the games were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Xieng Khuang Vice Governor Sivilay Sengchaleurn.
A total of 15 sports are being competed at the national competition. These include football, maklae (a traditional sport), badminton, muaylao (kick-boxing), table tennis, volleyball and beach volleyball, cycling, judo, shooting, wushu, petanque, tennis, top spinning, golf and sepak takraw.
Of the total, swimming and shooting are being competed in Vientiane.
The 10th National Games were held in Oudomxay Province in 2014, where the Ministry of Defense took the first place with 61 gold medals, while Vientiane ranked second with 55 gold medals.
Source: Lao News Agency