NAY PYI TAW April 29
The ceremony to hand over the national flag to Myanmar sports contingent that will take part in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam was held at sports hall B of Wunnatheikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw at 9 am today with an address by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Present were Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, SAC members Admiral Tin Aung San, Mahn Nyein Maung, Daw Aye Nu Sein, Jang Phange Naw Taung, Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, chairman of Central Bank of Myanmar, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander- in-Chief, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander, deputy ministers, chairmen of sports federations, officials, athletes, managers and coaches. Members of the Myanmar sports contingent respectfully introduced themselves to the Senior General.
The Senior General said as the opening date of the 31st SEA Games is just 14 days from now, it is believed that athletes are now ready for the games with skill in technique, ability and good records. In accord with the proposals of the sports bodies athletes that meet the required standard and good records are chosen for the contingent.
The entire nation has already witnessed the zeal, endurance and excellent preparations of the athletes for the games. Hence, all the athletes should strive with utmost efforts to make history. They can improve the country’s sports history if they win more medals than the previous SEA Games. They should strive with added momentum as it is everyone’s wish to see the national flag fluttering at the games. Success is the final stage of a game. The onus is on them to improve the national prestige through sports victories. So it is the national duty for every athlete to win the medal.
Sport is one of the sectors in the country’s all-round efforts to stand shoulder to shoulder with its international counterparts. Hence, systematic arrangements are being made to lift the country’s sports level to meet international stage.
The State is providing livelong assistance to medalists of the successive Asian and SEA Games since they reach the age of 60 for bringing honour to the country. The award (grade-1) for excellent service in social field was presented to 12 gold medalists of Asian Games and 24 out of the athletes who won gold for five times and above in the SEA Games at the 77th Anniversary Armed Forces Day on 27 March 2022. Scrutiny process is underway to honour the remaining athletes. Athletes who win medals at the present games will also be honoured.
Moreover, measures are being taken to offer cash awards to athletes, who are going to participate in the upcoming SEA games depending on their efforts, including Ks-30 million for an individual gold medal winner, Ks-20 million for an individual silver medal winner and Ks-10 million for an individual bronze medal winner, Ks-10 million for each member of team sports who wins the gold medal, Ks-seven million for each member of team sports who wins the silver medal and Ks-3.5 million for each member of team sports who wins the bronze medal. As for the instructors, each instructor for teams which win the gold, silver and bronze medal will be offered cash rewards of Ks-10 million, Ks-five million and Ks-three million respectively. The administrative bodies of each sports teams will be offered Ks-10 million, five million and Ks-three million respectively for their gold, silver and bronze medals.
Therefore, athletes who are going to participate in the 31st SEA Games are urged with all seriousness to exert efforts to make the national flag flutter with the belief that they represent the image of the flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and their national responsibilities.
All Myanmar athletes are again urged to exert relentless perseverance, efforts and endurance to win medals as they have been tasked with the duties to promote the image of the country by the State.
I would like to thank all sports federations and individuals who offered assistance to help send athletes to the 31st SEA Games.
All members of Myanmar athlete teams are required to participate in the games with the national commitment to exert relentless efforts to promote the country and the nationals, to behave politely in accordance with the fine traditions of Myanmar culture and to exert efforts to win medals based on the spirit of never surrendering. As sports can uplift the image of the country, the athletes are urged with all seriousness to make efforts to help flutter the flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Then, the Senior General transferred the Flag of Success to the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs U Min Thein Zan.
Afterwards, the union minister reported to the Senior General on preparations for the 31st SEA Games. Then, the Senior General presented cash rewards for the participants and instructors of the 31st SEA Games. Afterwards, the Senior General cordially greeted the selected participants, managers and instructors to the 31st SEA Games and inspected the sports gears for them. The 31st SEA Games will be held from 12 to 23 May in Vietnam and 293 Myanmar athletes for 20 sporting events will represent Myanmar.
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