Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Lao PDR, Mr Jung Yung Soo 

(KPL) The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Lao PDR has organize the 2nd Korean Ambassador's Lao Baseball Championship at the KM16 Baseball Stadium, in Vientiane on December 8.

The Baseball Championship attended by Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Lao PDR Mr Jung Yung Soo, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Mr Kingmano Phommahaxay, President of the Lao National Baseball-Softball Federation, Distinguished Lao and Korean Guests. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Referees and Athletes.

Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Lao PDR, Mr Jung Yung Soo said that Lao PDR has hosted an international baseball tournament in February of this year with the participation of 4 countries in the Indo-China Peninsula.

The result of the competition saw that the Lao national baseball team was able to take second place after Thailand.

This work made me especially happy, so I told many friends that Lao PDR can organize an international baseball tournament and won the 2nd place, but surprisingly, I told friends that I had only heard the name of baseball, but I did not know the details of how it competes, he went on.

Of course, it is difficult to explain baseball to someone who does not know baseball, a common person can describe this sport as a sport where one person throws the ball and the other person hits it with a stick.

Baseball is a more complex sport than football where there is only one ball in play,

One of the achievements of the Lao National Baseball Team was able to win for the first time by defeating Singapore Baseball Team in the ASEAN Games held last September and participation in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China.

From this performance, Lao PDR can be adjusted from the 83rd place in the past to the current 47th place in the world baseball rankings.

The wining is this time to be the result of all the Lao baseball players here who have put in a lot of sweat and continuous efforts in the past.

Lao baseball is considered to be a result of cooperation between Laos and Korea.

Mr Kingmano Phommahaxaysaid that the 2nd Korean Ambassador's Lao Baseball Championship is to forge friendship and share experience and is part of celebration of the 48th anniversary of Lao PDR and the National Day of the Republic of Korea last October.

It is a great pleasure and high privilege for me to represent the Ministry of Education and Sports to attend the opening ceremony of the 2nd Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lao PDR Cup Tournament together with Ambassador Jung Yung Soo.

Mr Kingmano said, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt congratulations and high appreciation to the Lao National Baseball and Softball Federation for their diligent activities and past achievements gained over the last 6 years as well as for their relentless efforts and funding dedicated towards promoting the development of baseball in the Lao PDR namely the training of our Lao athletes with the required techniques and skills on a regular basis, and the building of infrastructure and facilities that are needed to host national and sub-regional competitions.

In this regard, I am glad to share with you the good news about the remarkable achievement made by the Lao National Baseball Team during their recent participation in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China.

Their accomplishment has not only brought about fame and honor to the nation, but also lift the profile of the Lao National Baseball team to a new dimension never known before at regional and international level.

Taking this auspicious opportunity, I would like to commend the Lao National Baseball Federation, the Embassy of the ROK to the Lao PDR and all relevant stakeholders, both Lao and Korean for your continued support and assistance to the Lao National Baseball Team as well as for the organization of the 2nd Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Lao PDR Baseball Cup Tournament which is considered to be an important milestone that would greatly contribute to promoting the development of baseball in the Lao PDR and further strengthening the friendly ties and good cooperation between the Lao PDR and the ROK to a new height.

KPL