Myanmar to build new sports university in Naypyidaw
To ensure future use of facilities it is building for this years Southeast Asian Games. Myanmar plans to build a new sports university in its capital Nay Pyi Taw.
In an interview with Channel NewsAsia, the country's Deputy Sports Minister Thuang Htike revealed that this plan is intended to fully tilise the facilities being built for the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), being held in Myanmar in December.
Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, will be the main location where most of the 33 sporting events will take place. Having spent the last two years constructing new sporting venues, the Government is keen not to let these venues become white elephants after the SEA Games as they are planning to build a sports university within the SEA Games village.
Minister Thaung, who is also Vice President of the Myanmar Olympic Committee, explained "sport is for the good of the youth. Youth is very important for the country. So our plan to open the sports university is to develop the youth and human resources.
"When they graduate from the sports university, those students going to work at the different ministries as sports officers, some will go to the sports federation, to the development of specific sports programme and some to the sports organisations as sports administrators.
"In every country, like Singapore, Thailand - they have very young officials involved in the Olympic movement. We have to encourage our young Myanmar students to want to be involved in the Olympic movement, international sports activities. This is our plan for the future."
For now, the plan is to show the international community that Myanmar is capable of hosting the SEA Games after a 44-year hiatus.
Minister Thaung added "most of the people are not confident and they are worried about our organisation, the lack of experience after so many years without hosting (the SEA Games). We have to show that we can organise international games in Myanmar."
Myanmar's reputation is certainly on the line as they strive to ensure that everything from the athletes' dormitories to the internet and power supply will be in top condition.
Myanmar Olympic Committee joint Secretary-General Khin Maung Lwin added "now we are still going on with our full momentum, up to the final day. We can make it, 100%. We can assure you that we can make it without any problems."
The planners will also be dedicated to ensuring the safety of the athletes and participants at the games, with Minister Thaung concluding "security, (it's) well-organised. So I can say that no problem, no riots, no security problems will be happening during our SEA Games."
Organisers have declined to say how much hosting the games will cost them. However, they are hoping that the opening ceremony, as well as the games, will be spectacular.
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