SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses fourth meeting of the Leading Committee for Organizing the 5th National Sports Festival 2024
NAY PYI TAW October 30
The fourth meeting of the 5th National Sports Festival 2024 took place at the assembly hall of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon, with an address by Patron of the Leading Committee for Organizing the 5th National Sports Festival 2024 Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Also present at the meeting were Union ministers, the auditor general of the Union, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, deputy ministers, departmental heads and officials together with chief ministers of regions and states through video conferencing.
In his speech, the Vice-Senior General said that uplifting sport sector intends to enhance prestige of the State and national, stimulating the patriotism and national spirit. So, the 5th National Sports Festival will be held in the term of the State Administration Council with essence under the guidance of the Head of State.
At the opening ceremony of the 2024 Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Sports Meet on 25 September, SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gave guidance, saying “Achievements in sports can uplift physical and mental capacity of citizens as well as directly develop human resources.”
So, it showed the important role of the sports sector for the State and the people.
The National Sports Festivals have so far been held four times so far. The first time was held from 3 to 16 May 1992 in Yangon with 22 sports events, the second time from 25 January to 6 February 1994 in Yangon with 24 sports events, the third from 11 to 24 January 1997 in Yangon with 29 sports events and the fourth from 13 to 28 February 2015 in Nay Pyi Taw with 27 sports events.
As there remains just over a month to hold the 5th National Sports Festival, officials from committee and subcommittees must complete preparations for the festival to some extent.
Officials of committee and subcommittees have to report their preparations, undergoing process and further tasks to hold the festival on a grand scale and to organize competitions meeting the standards.
Chief Ministers of regions and states who are attending the meeting have to submit their reports on preparations for their teams to take part in the festival successfully.
Upon completion of the festival, victorious medallist athletes representing ministries and regions and states who showed off their excellent skills and talents must be deservedly awarded and promoted their ranks in the workforces as part of encouraging their efforts.
The selected athletes from coming festival will be provided systematic foods with calculation of calories plus traditional medicines as the sports nutrition without using dopes in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
Starting from the early November, one month ahead of the festival, to spark public interest and anticipation, plans are underway to promote the preparation of the festival through media campaigns, showcase the event’s preparation activities, and conduct interviews with participating teams on their training progress. Moreover, new sports-themed songs, short educational stories, and humorous skits are being created to captivate audiences.
Social media, print media, and broadcast media have to feature these promotions in a fun and engaging way through short formats to build excitement among the public in advance.
The sports competitions must be held under prescribed rules and regulations systematically.
If so, participants will avoid disputes and objections. Results of competitions will be correct and accuracy, effectively contributing to the plans to choose the selected players. Hence, all have to make efforts to hold the festival with fair competition and encouragement, enhancing prestige of the State and standard of sports sector.
At the upcoming 5th National Sports Festival, athletes with potential as representatives and promising new-generation athletes will be selected for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games to be held in December 2025 and for other international competitions.
In this selection process, efforts will be made to ensure that those who genuinely possess the necessary skills are chosen.
Competent evaluators specializing in each sport will carry out the selection according to set standards and criteria for each sport.
Athletes from various states and regions will arrive in Nay Pyi Taw for the competition.
During the event, relevant subcommittees are instructed to meticulously provide for the athletes' accommodations, meals, healthcare, and administrative needs.
This is to allow the athletes to compete comfortably, peacefully, and with full engagement. Additionally, officials and team managers are instructed to closely supervise, minimizing any potential weaknesses to ensure successful completion of the event without incidents, injuries, or unforeseen occurrences."
The upcoming National Sports Festival should not be viewed merely as a sporting event, but rather as a national responsibility that needs to be carried out with high standards, organization, and success at a level of significance to the nation.
Due to the vast scope of collaborative tasks required, ministries of the Union, state and regional governments, the Myanmar Sports Federations, former national athletes, NGOs, media personnel, and the public as a whole are encouraged to actively contribute with a sense of national spirit in their respective areas.
This collective effort will allow the successful organization of the National Sports Festival under the theme of 'Unity and Success’.
This National Sports Festival also serves as an opportunity to showcase our love for our people and country, unity, cooperation, and stability.
Therefore, the work committee and subcommittees are urged to execute their duties and responsibilities according to the plan without any gaps or oversights to ensure success.
Additionally, if unforeseen challenges arise, responsible parties are expected to report and address them promptly.
Moreover, there is a strong emphasis on conducting every activity with safety awareness, ensuring security throughout all operations.
Following this, U Min Thein Zan, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the organization of the 5th National Sports Festival and Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, provided updates on the implementation of previous meeting resolutions, matters related to the commemoration of the National Sports Festival, and details regarding competition schedules.
Afterwards, Union Ministers, the Union Auditor General, the Chairman of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, Chief Ministers of Regions and States, and Deputy Ministers, who are members of the organizing committee, presented the plans for conducting the opening and closing ceremonies of the 5th National Sports Festival with grandeur and in alignment with national standards appropriate to the times.
They also reported on the current status of preparations for the sports events to be held in each respective category and provided an update on the conditions for participation in the competitions according to each sport.
Subsequently, the chairpersons of various subcommittees, including the Deputy Ministers, Deputy Auditor General, and other responsible officials, provided updates on the work progress and ongoing plans for the successful organization of the 5th National Sports Festival.
These subcommittees include those responsible for transportation and communication, fireworks, security, finance and awards, media and documentation, health, event management and logistics, invitation and hospitality, ceremony preparation, accommodations and catering, auditing, arbitration, and selection of new-generation athletes.
Each subcommittee reported on the work completed so far and the plans to be implemented in their respective sectors.
Following this, the Vice-Senior General provided feedback on these reports, addressing any necessary adjustments and improvements.
The meeting was then concluded with final remarks and adjourned.