Laos urged to add more sports at SEA Games 2009

JAKARTA: Four countries are urging host Laos to add several sports to the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which are scheduled to be held from Dec. 13 to 21 next year, according to Indonesia's sports chief.Rita Subowo, chairwoman of the National Sports Council (KONI), said Friday that Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand had met with representative from Laos to discuss the possibility including sports such as basketball, archery, canoeing, weightlifting and cycling. "However, Laos indicated it would not host those sports events due to lack of facilities and funds," Rita said. "Those sports would give Indonesia good medal chances," she said. Laos plans to stage 25 sports, much fewer than the 43 at the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand. Rita said the four countries would further discuss the issue in November in the hope of convincing Laos to add those sports. (ewd)