by Ian Marshall, Editor
Chaired by Mrs. Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, the Minister for Education and Sports, President of the Laos National Olympic Committee as well as being the President of the Laos Table Tennis Federation, the gathering attracted a host of notable names.
Also present was Somphou Phongsa, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Laos National Olympic Committee as well as Sengphone Phonamath, Director of the Elite Sports Department at the Ministry of Education and Sport. Also, he fulfils the role of National Olympic Committee Secretary-General.
Likewise, Somchay Vongsa, Secretary-General of the Laos Table Tennis Federation attended as did Executive Committee members of the National Olympic Committee and Vice Presidents of the Laos Table Tennis Federation.
“The Laos Table Tennis Federation benefitted from the National Sports Structure Course led by ITTF expert, Christina Chee, held 26 months ago.” Somchay Vongsa
Organised by Olympic Solidarity and administered under the auspices of the ITTF Development Programme in conjunction with the Laos National Olympic Committee, the initiative was staged in 2016 from Wednesday 26th October to Saturday 24th December
Now as a direct result four dedicated table tennis centres have opened, a talent identification programme is in place with national coaches promoting the sport.
“In addition to provincial and national tournaments in March 2017, the Laos Table Tennis Federation organised the Gold Champa Cup Table Tennis Challenge at the Lanexang Sport Centre, the tournament proved a great success.” Somchay Vongsa
Undoubted progress, the South East Asia Hopes Week and Challenge is now eagerly awaited.
“I would like to thank you, the sponsors for your support for the Laos Table Tennis Federation to make the ITTF Regional Hopes possible. We are committed to promote the ITTF Hopes Programme in Laos and also in South East Asia, especially by organizing this international event and also providing more training and exposure for our promising and potential Hopes players.” Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun
Venue for South East Asia Regional Hopes Week and Challenge will be the ITECC Mall Vientiane; 11 boys and eight girls will participate.
