Even though existence of Myanmar Archery Federation is still quite young,
development programme of Archery has been implemented tremendously
First South East Asian Archery Championships opened

YANGON, 10 Jan—A ceremony to open the First South East Asian Archery Championships hosted in Myanmar was held at the Kyaikkasan Archery Ground here this morning, and it was attended by Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, the Yangon Mayor, deputy ministers, members of Myanmar Olympic Committee, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, diplomats of foreign missions, Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation President of South East Asian Archery Federation Mr San Gun Kosavinta and officials, Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation President of Myanmar Archery Federation Dr Khin Shwe and officials, the presidents of the Myanmar Sports Federations and officials, managers of archery teams of South East Asian nations, coaches, archers, guests, students and enthusiasts.

Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint made a speech. He said: As you may aware that the art of archery is well known to Myanmar since ancient times, but it is only in the last couple of years that Myanmar Archers have taken part in the International Archery Competitions.

Even though the existence of Myanmar Archery Federation is still quite young, the development programme of Archery has been implemented tremendously under the leadership and guidance of Myanmar National Olympic Council, Myanmar Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sport, by taking part in the Continental and Regional Games and in the International and World Archery Championships, and by hosting the continental and regional championships like this occasion and invitational championships in our country.

We are very proud and much honoured to get the opportunity to host this First South East Asian Archery Championships in order to take another step towards the development of archery in our country, and I would like to welcome you again, all the world-grade archers from the participating countries.

It is my honest belief that the goodwill and friendship, which will be cultivated and cemented from this event, will contribute significantly towards a better understanding and further strengthening of the existing friendship between our member countries of this region, South East Asia.

I also sincerely believe that through this very important International Sports Events, not only one the athletic abilities of participants developed in the spirit of friendly competition but even more important, a sense of fellowship and goodwill is also created in the true Olympic Spirit.

I am also sure that during your stay in our country, you can witness and see the peaceful development, beauty and scenery of the country, the dynamism and friendliness of the people as well as the diversity and richness of our Myan-mar’s culture and civilization, which you will find the better way for the vitalization of existing friendship and relationship between our participating countries, and better understanding for the promotion of sports relationship among our neighbouring countries.

Once again, I would like to stress that we are very proud and much honoured to host this championships, of which I wish also to take this opportunity to express our very sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the International Archery Federation, Asian Archery Federation and South East Asia Archery Federation for granting Myanmar the opportunity to host this championships, the first time ever such a big event takes place in our nation.

In conclusion, with our warm Myanmar hospitality and culture embracing you, may I once again convey by best wishes and good luck for the championships, and let me convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the responsible personnel from the Organizing Committee of the First South East Asian Archery Championships, team officials and participants from all the participating teams, and all the sports fans, by assisting us to organize this championship to come into reality. I hope that you all can make the best of your time with full enjoyment during your short stay in the golden city of Myanmar.

Next, Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation President of South East Asian Archery Federation Mr San Gun Kosavinta extended greetings.

Afterwards, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Chairman of the Committee for Ensuring Myanmar Sports to win victory Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation President of South East Asian Archery Federation Mr San Gun Kosavinta formally opened the championships.Next, Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and officials greeted managers, coaches and archers of the participating teams.

Next, President of MAF Dr Khin Shwe presented K 10 million, Vice-Presidents of MAF Chairman of ACE Construction Co U Tint Hsan K10 million, Managing Director of Shwe Gon Dine Specialist Clinic Dr Zaw Tun K 10 million, and Managing Director of Asia Express Co U Maung Maung K 10 million for holding of the archery championships.

Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint accepted the donations.

Later, President of MAF Dr Khin Shwe presented US$ 10,000 donated by Myanmar Archery Federation for South East Asian Archery Federation to Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation President of South East Asian Archery Federation Mr San Gun Kosavinta.

The opening ceremony ended with the skill demonstrations of Indian Club sports team, Myanmar Thaing Federation and students of Latha BEHS No 2 and Mingalar Taungnyunt BEHS No 3.

Altogether 76 archers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos and host Myanmar are participating in the championships. The championships continues until 13 January.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

SEA Archery team managers meet

YANGON, 10 Jan — Managers of the teams to the first Southeast Asian Archery championships met at Myanmar Archery Federation in Kyaikkasan Grounds here today.

President of MAF Dr Khin Shwe, Dr Myat Thura Soe of MAF and President of SEA Archery Federation Mr San Gun Kosavinta gave speeches.

Judges led by Mr Baharuddin Jamil of Malaysia, managers of Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, Singaporean Lao and Myanmar teams and MAF officials joined in the discussions.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Ma-le village gets bio-gas power

YANGON, 10 Jan — Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint inspected Ma-le Nattaung Dam Project in Singu Township and attended the opening of a village bio-gas power plant on 6 January.

Accompanied by departmental personnel, the commander visited the Ma-le Nattaung Dam Project near Ma-le village in Singu Township, PyinOoLwin District, Mandalay Division.

Officials of the Irrigation Department and the project explained salient points of the project. After fulfilling the requirements, the commander observed the construction of the No 1 outlet conduit.

The earth dam on Ma-le Nattaung Creek will be a 11,850-foot long and 72-foot high facility storing up to 57,470 acre-feet of water. It will irrigate 8,000 acres of monsoon paddy and 2,000 acres of other crops.

At the village, the commander attended the opening ceremony to launch the bio-gas power plant. Village local authorities formally opened the plant.

Together with officials, the commander went around the plant and made arrangements for running the plant smoothly. The plant will run its 15-kva engine to generate power for 200 two-foot florescent lamps, 40 road lamps, five florescent lamps of the village pagoda and five TVs for four hours in the evening.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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