Vietnam funds new Laos national sports centre

The Vietnamese Government has granted neighbouring Laos US$4 million to build its first-ever national sports training centre. The project, some 15 km north of the capital city Vientiane, is being built on an area of almost 12,000 square metres, with construction finishing next year. The complex is complete with offices, motels for athletes, sports courts, football stadium, a multi-purpose gymnasium, as well as other sports facilities that could well meet standards in organizing international sports events.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, Somsawat Lengsavad, Dputy Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, said the centre will play an essential role in training elite athletes for domestic and international competition, Than Nien newspaper reported.