Laos aims to make 1st SEA Games hosting memorable

The Lao People Democratic Republic basks in the sporting limelight Wednesday night as it officially marks its first ever hosting of the Southeast Asian Games. A founding member but never once a host to the region’s biggest sports conclave, Laos, formerly known as the ancient kingdom of the Million Elephants, has set its best foot forward to make the meet’s 25th edition a truly memorable one.

Cultural songs and dances typifying the deep-rooted heritage of this nation of 6.6 million people – the least populated in Southeast Asia – are aplenty in the two-hour long, colorful opening ceremony featuring 4,869 athletes and officials from the 11-member countries. Historic the magnitude of the breakthrough hosting is, every nook and cranny of the 20,000-seater National Sports Complex in Vientiane, Laos is expected to be filled once the elegant rite begins at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. Manila time). No less than President Choummaly Sayasone will be on hand to welcome all guests – including the Prime Ministers of Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia – and participants, while at the same time, officially declare the 10-day Games open. Highlights of the festive show are the festive symbolic lighting of the SEA Games Flame and the traditional parade of nations done alphabetically. Boxing champion Annie Albania has been designated to carry the country’s tricolors while leading the 300-plus strong RP contingent in their bright red, white and blue tracksuits. Being the host, Laos is the last to march during the ceremony. A total of 378 gold medals in 27 events will be disputed in the coming days, with powerhouse and defending champion Thailand looming as the early favorite to repeat. But not to be outdone, the Filipinos are raring to go and do battle as they try to bounce back from a disappointing sixth place finish during the last staging of the meet in Thailand two years ago. "The athletes are all very eager to compete now. Their spirits are very high," said RP Chef de Mission Mario Tanchangco. "Our athletes are ready and we are confident that everyone will do their best," said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco. From Manila, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping also wished the Filipino athletes good luck, saying: "All the training, sacrifices, and hard work will be put to test these coming days." "Put up your best. I join all the Filipinos in praying to God for your success." Sepak takraw, a sport whose association headed by Tanchangco, began making its presence felt after the men and women’s hoop teams were assured of the bronze Tuesday. Danilo Alipan, Joel Carbonilla, Harry Castanares, Jerome Vendiola, Metodio Suico Jr. and Hector Memarion arranged a semifinal meeting with Myanmar late Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the gold medal match Wednesday against the victor of the other semis pairing between Thailand and Indonesia. The women’s team of Desiree Autor, Irene Apdon, Gel yn Evora, Sarah Jane Catain and Rhea Padrigo fell short in its own bid for at least the silver after losing to Myanmar, 720-580, in their semis at the Lao ITECC Hall 1. Table tennis also holds its preliminaries for the team competitions at the National University Convention Hall Wednesday and so does taekwondo, where the first five of the event’s 21 gold medals are up for grabs at the 400-seat Booyong gym. Camille Alarilla, Janice Lagman and Rani Ann Ortega, winner in the 4th World Poomsae tilt in Cairo, Egypt, go for their second team gold in just over two weeks when poomsae (form) makes its debut for taekwondo in this meet. The three will also try their luck in the individual side of the competition, which also offers gold medals in men’s team, mixed pair and men’s individual play in the discipline that stresses form and resembles karatedo’s kata. Comprising the men’s team are Anthony Matias and brothers Brian and Jean Sabido, the latter teaming up with Ortega in the mixed pair. According to POC media attaché Clarito Samson, quoting team manager Rocky Samson, the Philippine entries will be determined only before the competition proper. – GMANews.TV