Vice President U Myint Swe addresses the coordination meeting to make arrangements for hosting the 19th ASEAN University Games, in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Photo: MNA
The Steering Committee on hosting the 19th ASEAN University Games (AUG) was held its second coordination meeting at the hall of the Ministry of Education in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
At the meeting, Vice President U Myint Swe, the patron of the AUG Steering Committee, said that the committee had been formed with Notification No. 20/2018 of the Office of the President, and was assigned six tasks. The tasks include providing guidelines for the successful hosting of the 19th ASEAN University Games and coordinating with concerned ministries to get the buildings and sports grounds ready for the games.
“To implement these tasks, about 15 work committees and 18 sub-committees have been formed. The steering committee held its first meeting on 5 April, 2018 and laid down eight points, which have already been implemented. As for the Government, efforts are being made to ensure fitness, intelligence, and all-round development of university students, while striving to produce outstanding athletes for the country who are also good in their academic studies,” the Vice President said.
“While carrying out the set tasks, about seven points were laid down for the education sectors, which included permitting formation of university sports teams in line with international standards, allowing them to compete in the ASEAN University Games and SEA Games, sending athletes to play friendly matches in neighboring countries, holding inter-school sports events at Basic Education Schools, townships, regions, states and zone levels, identifying talented students, conducting sports training for students and referees in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Sports,” he added.
“Myanmar will host the biennial games which will see over 2,000 athletes from 11 countries competing in various events. Originally, the number of sports categories were listed as 16, they were increased to 17, with the inclusion of tennis. Participants will now compete in 17 sports with 201 events. Myanmar is making efforts to gain success in these games while implementing the tasks,” he said.
The AUG aim to strengthen friendship and unity between ASEAN youths, produce brilliant athletes from the ASEAN region, and serve as a platform to exchange information and culture through universities, he said.
“In this modern age, we all know that sports have become an effective diplomatic tool that portray the prestige of a nation. In terms of the athletes who represent the country in the sport events, they can show their sporting spirit, the sporting quality, and pride of the country. Relevant committees and sub-committees have been urged to encourage athletes to try their best with sporting spirit,” he added.
Myanmar will host the ASEAN University Games for the first time and all the committees and sub-committees have been urged to discuss the work process and on-going work to conduct the games successfully, he said.
Afterwards, the Chairman of the Steering Committee and Union Minister for Education, Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, gave the status of tasks laid down in the first meeting of the committee, the condition of athletes, games, and accommodation facilities.
The Deputy Minister for Health and Sports, Dr. Mya Lay Sein, then spoke about the preparedness for training of athletes and healthcare services. Later, the Director General of Higher Education Department, Dr. Thein Win, gave a briefing about the arrangements for visitors’ cards for athletes and visitors and schedule for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Next, the Director General of Health and Sports U Myo Hlaing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture U Tun Ohn, Managing Director U San Myint, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, U Tin Myint, and Deputy Police Chief of Myanmar Police Force Police Major General Aung Naing gave reports about the implementation of tasks.
The Steering Committee meeting ended with closing remarks from Vice President U Myint Swe. — MNA (Translated by Win Ko Ko Aung)
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