Mr Dahlan Al Hamad (centre), Dr Xayxana Thongkhamchan (left) and a senior official meet in Qatar last week.

Asian Athletics Association pledges to boost skills of Lao athletes

President of the Lao Athletics Federation, Dr Xayxana Thongkhamchan, and his officials visited the President of the Asian Athletics Association, Mr Dahlan Al Hamad in Doha, Qatar, to discuss ways to improve the standard of athletics in Laos. 
Dr Xayxana reported on the visit and the plans of the Lao Athletics Federation when the Ministry of Education and Sports on Tuesday announced the appointment of its new president and officials.
He said he asked the President of the Asian Athletics Association to suggest the best ways to improve athletics in Laos so that athletes were on a par with their counterparts in other Asian countries when competing internationally.
Mr Dahlan said the Asian Athletics Association was ready to assist Laos in the development process in a sustainable way, and to strengthen the skills of up- and-coming athletes, as well as the organisation of competitions.
The association would improve the organisational structure of Laos’ athletics so that it was in keeping with the standards of the Asian Athletics Association and the World Athletics Federation.
In the meantime, Lao runners hope to win medals at the 31st South-East Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam in May 12-23, as well bring home more medals from future international events.
In 2019, Lao runners picked up three bronze medals at the SEA Games in the Philippines.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update April 5, 2022)