Laos Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh calls on Lao people to join in the efforts to launch a campaign to prepare for the 25th SEA Games that Laos will host in 2009 to ensure an outstanding success.
The Prime Minister says all sectors should join in the campaign to promote the games with clear-cut objectives to make the first SEA Games ever in Laos a memorable one.
Laos is hosting the games with the help of the Chinese government, who is building a $80-million sports facilities for Laos on the outskirts of the capital city of Vientiane. Construction began in 2007 and is expected to complete in September 2009, three months before the start of the games in December.
In return, Laos has agreed to let the Chinese government develop a residential area around the sports venue for Chinese immigrants.
China has also received a concession on a 1,000 hectare lot to build a Chinatown for 3,000 Chinese households in the marsh area around the That Luang Shrine.
Lao officials have said they will reduce the number of competing events at the 25th SEA Games from 40 to 25, doing away with sports that its athletes cannot compete in such as gymnastics, wind surfing, sailing, weightliefting, basketball, etc...
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.