The 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos

The Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) is a biennial multi-sporting event, similar to the Asian Games or Pan-Am Games, contested between all countries in Southeast Asia. The International Olympic Council (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia supervises the event.

The SEA Games is an excellent venue for sports fans and cultural enthusiast to see sports that are unique to the region. You will see Pétanque, a favorite Lao pastime only in the SEA Games. Sepak Takraw, a very athletic foot volleyball game is also unique to the region and the event. You will also get to see Muay Laos, a martial art that includes attacks from knees, elbows, fists and kicks which is similar to Muay Thai at this year’s games.

The 25th SEA Games in Laos will be hosted by the country’s capital city, Vientiane. The opening ceremony will take place on December 9th, 2009 with a closing ceremony to complete the event taking place on December 18th, 2009. A total of 28 sporting disciplines will be contested, with bronze medals awarded for third place, silver medals for second and gold for the champion in each sport, all cumulating to each country’s medals and gold tallies.

The event was founded in 1958 with the first games being held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1959. The purpose was to enhance cooperation, understanding and relations among countries in the region. There were six founding member countries before the start of the first event, with the list expanding over time to the current number of 11 members.

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Fact File:

Exotissimo arranges tours to Laos, as well as other Southeast Asian countries.

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