Badminton players vie to win National Assembly President’s Cup

Badminton teams from 24 clubs in Vientiane and five provinces are taking part in the 22nd BeerLao Badminton Championship 2023, hoping to win the National Assembly’s President’s Cup, with games being played in Vientiane from August 23-26, supported by the Lao Brewery Company.

A player in action in the men’s doubles of the championship.	Mr Chansamone Phongchantha (right) on Wednesday presents sponsorship money to Dr Xaybandith Rasphone (left) at the opening ceremony of the BeerLao Badminton Championship in Vientiane.

A total of 324 players from Vientiane and the provinces of Champassak, Savannakhet, Khammuan, Luang Prabang and Oudomxay are competing in 13 divisions at the championship.
The tournament was organised to mark the 48th anniversary of Uprising Day on August 23.
Many young players are taking part this year, hoping to improve their skills while taking on some strong opponents.
The opening ceremony of the tournament on Wednesday took place at the Lao-Thai gymnasium, attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Laos, Ms Khanthaly Siriphongphanh; National Assembly representative Ms Thoummaly Vongphachanh; Vice President of the Lao Badminton Federation Dr Xaybandith Rasphone; a representative of the Lao Brewery Company, Mr Chansamone Phongchantha; senior ministry officials; and badminton teams.
The Lao Brewery Company donated 362 million kip in sponsorship money, of which 146 million kip will be used as cash prizes for the winners in each category.
Dr Xaybandith said the Lao Badminton Federation will use the championship to select the best players in the U-18 division to represent Laos at the Asean School Games, which will be held in Da Nang province, Vietnam, in November.
The championship comprises the boys’ U-15 division, male and female U-18 division, boys’ and girls’ U-12 singles, men’s open singles, men’s and women’s open doubles, men’s U-18 doubles, mixed U-18 doubles, mixed open doubles, and men’s doubles in the over 70 and over 80 age groups.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update August 25, 2023)