Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged athletes to perform their best in the upcoming SEA Games to be able to secure more medals than in the previous competition, thereby bringing honour to the State.
Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said so at the ceremony to hand over the flag to ensure success for the Myanmar sports contingent, which will take part in the XXXIII Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by Thailand.
At the ceremony, which took place at the Wunna Theikdi Gymnasium A in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, the Senior General said that sports competition is an event of capability contest for a country or a nation to fairly show off their health and fitness, diligence, perseverance, endeavours and unity.
He stressed that all members of the Myanmar sports contingent have to firmly keep in mind that achieving victory in every competition, in a manner that upholds the honour of Myanmar and all its citizens, is a national duty for them.
He noted that just as the Myanmar sports contingent has contributed to the nation’s sporting history and records, the Myanmar athletes were urged to participate in the XXXIII Southeast Asian Games to perform at their best and aim to win more medals than in previous competitions, thereby enhancing the country’s prestige.
The Senior General underlined that the sports sector is important for the longevity and health of the entire nation. As the motto goes, “Promoting sports is protecting the nation”. Sports foster patriotism and a desire to safeguard the country, which is why efforts are being made to support and promote the development of sports.
He remarked that the national athletes representing the country in competitions are already fully prepared in terms of physical fitness, technical skills, athletic performance, and adherence to standards. Therefore, to achieve victory in competitions and enhance the nation’s prestige, all members of the Myanmar sports contingent are further encouraged to give their utmost effort with patriotism, love for their heritage, determination, perseverance, and courage.
He unveiled that the athletic achievements emerging from the major competitions will also be duly honoured.
The Senior General recounted that athletes from 29 sports have been sent abroad 119 times to seek international experiences in order to compete in the SEA Games to keep abreast of athletes from other countries. Myanmar athletes from 16 sports were sent to take joint training abroad 30 times. Five foreign coaches have been hired with the State budget to provide training to Myanmar athletes. In the XXXII SEA Games, Myanmar’s sports contingent participated in 19 sports events and secured 21 gold, 25 silver and 68 bronze medals, totalling 114. So, the State honoured them with K333.3 million as cash awards.
He unveiled his hope that the State and the entire people expect Myanmar athletes would show off their brilliant skills by securing medals for the State so as to uplift the prestige of the State.
The Senior General handed over the flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar as the flag to ensure success for competition in the XXXIII SEA Games to Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Jeng Phang Naw Taung.
The Union minister reported to the Senior General on the preparations of athletes from the Myanmar sports contingent to take part in the upcoming SEA Games.
The Senior General cordially greeted the sports teams and inspected sports equipment to be used by the athletes at the sports exhibition. He gave necessary guidance to officials and attended to their needs.
Also, present at the ceremony were Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, commission members, Union ministers, Union-level dignitaries, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, members of the Myanmar Olympic Council, and officials from the sports federations.
The XXXIII SEA Games will be hosted by Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025.
MNA/TTA
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