Sports ministry announces new management of Lao Athletics Federation

The Ministry of Education and Sports on Tuesday announced the appointment of a new president of the Lao Athletics Federation, Mr Xayxana Thongkhamchan.

Associate Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Mr Xayxana Thongkhamchan, officials and athletes gather at the National Olympic Committee of Laos’ office on Tuesday.  --Photo Lao Athletics Federation

At the same time, new vice presidents and other new management officials were appointed to oversee the work of the federation and bolster Laos’ reputation in the sporting arena.

The incoming management team will be in charge of raising standards among athletes until 2024.

The federation’s Honorary President is Mr Somsavat Lengsavad.

The new appointments were announced by the Minister of Education and Sports, Associate Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong, in the presence of sports officials and athletes.
Speaking at the event, Mr Xayxana praised federation officials for the work they had done in the past, including arranging for various groups and organisations to support activities for trainers and athletes.

“We will develop a strategy from now until 2025, including improving the skills of younger generations of athletes and the national team so that they set more records. We also want to arrange athletics events in Laos as well as send our athletes to more events in other countries,” he said.

“We will also try to improve the skills of referees and trainers and will seek funding support from our development partners,” he added.
It is hoped that qualified Lao referees will be able to officiate at international events and will get certification from the International Amateur Athletic Federation.
The Lao Athletics Federation will support the development of athletics clubs at universities, colleges and schools.
Mr Xayxana said Lao runners would go for gold at the South-East Asian (SEA) Games taking place in Vietnam in May and will encourage Lao athletes to compete at more international events in the future.
The federation will arrange activities to support health and charity events five times a year, and will hold an annual track and field competition in Vientiane.
Lao runners have competed at numerous international events in the past and in 2019 picked up three bronze medals at the SEA Games in the Philippines.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 17, 2022)