Union Minister reviews SEA Games training, joins China-assisted sports donation event

UNION Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and for Hotels and Tourism Jeng Phang Naw Taung, who also serves as President of the Myanmar Olympic Committee, inspected national teams training for the XXXIII Southeast Asian Games in Yangon yesterday morning, together with U Kyaw Oo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Sports and Physical Education.

The Union minister first observed Wushu athletes training at the Tamway Township Sports and Physical Education Institute (Yangon), including Kyaw Zay Win and Zaw Tun Naing in Taolu (weapons); Khaing Sandar Soe and Thupan Htwar in Taolu (non-weapon); Tin Htoo Wai and Ye Yint Tun in Taolu (non-weapon); Myo Htwal Yan in Changquan; and Myat Noe Eain and Swan Yi Htet Naing in Taijiquan. He also inspected Myo Min Htet (70 kilogrammes) and Thiha Zaw (65 kilogrammes) in Sanshou. After presenting honorary cash awards, he encouraged the athletes to follow their coaches’ instructions closely and to strive for gold medals for Myanmar.

He then visited Chinlone athletes training in the men’s and women’s Event-3 categories and urged them to aim for Myanmar’s first gold medal at the XXXIII Southeast Asian Games. Cash awards were also presented.

At the Pencak Silat training venue, he observed demonstrations by Nay Win San in Tunggal (male); Hlaing Phu Wai in Tunggal (female); the team of Nay Win San, Phyo Ngwe Soe and Myo Htet Zaw in artistic events; and by Ye Naing Oo (55-60 kilogrammes), Aung Khant Zaw (60- 65 kilogrammes), Kyaw Naing Tun (65-70 kilogrammes), Shin Htet Aung (75-80 kilogrammes), Wai Thu Lwin (85-90 kilogrammes) and Thinn Teza (55-60 kilogrammes) in combat events. He discussed requirements with coaches and athletes. The Union minister and party later met students and had lunch with them at the Sports and Physical Education Institute (Yangon).

In the afternoon, a donation ceremony was held at the Institute’s Pyidaungsu Hall, organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar to support the development of Myanmar’s sports sector. Chinese Ambassador Ms Ma Jia explained the purpose of the donation, and the Union minister delivered words of appreciation.

Ambassador Ms Ma Jia presented donations to four sports federations: the Myanmar Wushu Federation, the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation, the Myanmar Sepak Takraw Federation and the Myanmar Football Federation. U Thitsa, U Thaung Htaik Min, U Ye Win Htut Tin and Dr Aung Kyaw Oo accepted the donations on behalf of their respective federations.

The Union minister later presented a certificate of honour to the ambassador. Myanmar national Chinlone athletes and Myanmar national Wushu athletes then performed skill demonstrations.

MNA/KZL

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