The indoor stadium at Lao- ITECC will host the sepak takraw, wushu and pencak silat events during the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane next month. The stadium comprises two floors on which the SEA Games Organising Committee has modified two rings especially for the wushu and pencak silat events. Each arena has seating for 400 spectators and offices for event officials. The sepak takraw and wushu events will take place on the first floor of the stadium, while pencak silat contests will be held on the upper floor which is still undergoing renovations.SEA Games Construction Project Manager Khiengkham Phouthchanhthavong said 750 million kip was spent on improving the indoor stadium and arenas. Mr Khiengkham said the three arenas will be of international standard and have excellent facilities for athletes, officials and spectators. The national pencak silat and wushu teams are currently training at the National Sports Training Centre in Sikeut village, Naxaithong district. The wushu team won one silver and two bronze medals at the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, while the pencak silat team won a bronze medal. Pencak silat events will consist of weight divisions ranging from 45 to 80kg for males and 45 to 65kg for females. The Lao Pencak Silat Federation has sent the national team to train in Hanoi, Vietnam, until the end of this month.
A SEA Games ring at Lao-ITECC.
The 21 male and four female fighters are training in Vietnam under the guidance of Indonesian and Vietnamese trainers. Eleven male and five female wushu fighters in various weight divisions are currently training at the National Sports Training Centre under the guidance of Mr Cui Jian Gong from China.
The Lao Judo Federation hosted the East Asia Judo Championships at the indoor stadium in August to test judo athletes and event organisers in the lead-up to the games.
Source: Vientiane Times
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