A ceremony to honour victorious athletes who brought prestige to the State by competing in the VIII World Vovinam Championships 2025 and the 16th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships held in Indonesia in 2025, the XXXIII SEA Games 2025 and the 13th ASEAN Para Games 2026 in Thailand took place at the Wunna Theikdi Gymnasium 1 in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech and awarded those athletes.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Senior General said that winning medals for the nation in international sports competitions not only enhances national pride through sports but also reflects the efforts and dedication of those who have strived to raise the State flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and have the national anthem resound on the international stage.

For Myanmar to be able to compete effectively and win medals at an appropriate standard, he added that it is necessary to undertake advanced preparation and systematic training. In doing so, sports disciplines that can yield immediate gold medals should be distinguished from those that may not yet produce gold medals but require long-term development, and well-structured plans should be implemented accordingly.

It will also be necessary to conduct reviews and make adjustments to progress on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis.

In line with the present era of science and artificial intelligence, the Senior General noted that it is necessary to make concerted efforts to emphasize the emergence of sports researchers, including specialists such as sports scientists, sports nutritionists, and sports psychologists. Sports federations have to continue facilitating opportunities for domestic coaches to attend sports training programmes in partner countries, as well as to promote reciprocal participation in bilateral friendship sporting events between the two countries.

He recounted that at the VIII World Vovinam Championship, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 1 to 8 November 2025, Myanmar competed in 16 events and won a total of 14 medals, comprising two gold medals, five silver medals, and seven bronze medals.

Similarly, he retold that at the XVI World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships, organized by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Physique and held on Bintan Island, Indonesia, from 11 to 17 November 2025, Myanmar won a total of five medals, comprising one gold medal, two silver medals, and two bronze medals.
At the XXXIII South-East Asian Games, held in December 2025, the Senior General highlighted that Myanmar won a total of 72 medals, including three gold medals, and achieved seventh place in the overall national rankings.

At the XIII ASEAN Para Games, held in Thailand in January 2026, he also retold that Myanmar won a total of 59 medals, comprising 20 golds, 19 silvers, and 20 bronzes, and achieved sixth place among the 11 participating countries. In recognition of such efforts, competitive spirit, and achievements, the State provided immediate monetary awards during the competition period: US$300 for each gold medal, US$200 for each silver medal, and US$100 for each bronze medal.

He noted that the gold, silver, and bronze medals won by the Paralympic sports federation were in Olympic disciplines such as athletics, swimming, and volleyball. Therefore, in order for the country to progress to the next level, all relevant stakeholders are urged to place renewed and sustained emphasis on developing Olympic sports, particularly athletics and swimming.

Therefore, in preparation for the XXXIV South-East Asian Games and the XIV ASEAN Para Games to be held in Malaysia in 2027, the Senior General stressed that it is necessary for the Ministry and the relevant sports federations to clearly identify and delineate their respective areas of responsibility, and to submit promptly those areas that require the State’s support and intervention Furthermore, he urged sustained efforts be made to ensure the continuous emergence of a new generation of young athletes through domestic sport competitions, to enable coaches, referees, and jury members to attend up-to-date training programmes in line with modern standards, and for Myanmar’s sports federations to consistently work toward gaining representation and participation, by sector, in international sports organizations, including Southeast Asian sports federations.
On the occasion, the Senior General presented cash awards to the winners in the VIII World Vovinam Championships 2025, the 16th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships, the XXXIII SEA Games 2025 and the 13th ASEAN Para Games 2026, respectively.
Commission member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw also awarded the victorious athletes.

Likewise, Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo, commission members, Union ministers, and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief honoured the victorious athletes and sports teams with cash awards.

The State awarded K30 million each to gold medallists, K20 million each to silver medallists and K10 million each to bronze medallists; K10 million each to members of the gold medallist team, K7 million each to members of the silver medallist team and K3.5 million each to members of the silver medallist team; K10 million each to gold medallist coach, K5 million to silver medallist coach and K3 million to bronze medallist; and K10 million each to gold medallist management team, K5 million to the silver medallist and K3 million to the bronze medallist, respectively. On the occasion, the State awarded K3,669 million to medal-winning individuals and teams for their outstanding performances.

MNA/TTA

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