March 3, 2020
Xieng Khuang province’s 11th National Games scheduled for March 22 to April 1 have been postponed according to an official announcement recently.
Although Laos has not recorded any confirmed cases of Covid-19 to date, authorities decided it was prudent to postpone the national meet.
Ministries and provincial teams have expressed understanding over the decision, given that a growing number of countries are reporting confirmed coronavirus cases, including Laos’ neighbours.
Minister of Education and Sports and President of the National Olympic Committee, Mrs Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, told the media that with Covid-19 spreading in countries around the world, the Ministry of Health decided it was too risky to stage the National Games in the current climate.
“We feel for the sporting teams who have trained so hard for the games, as well as the sports federations working with organisers to prepare for their events,” she said.
Games organisers from Xieng Khuang must be especially disappointed with the announcement given that this is the third time the games have been postponed since being originally slated for November 2018.
With Laos lacking widespread health infrastructure and medical equipment, authorities are taking extra precautions to prevent an outbreak of Covid-19 and protect people’s lives.