ON 18 December, Myanmar clinched their first victory in the 2024 ASEAN Cup Group B stage with a 3-2 triumph over Laos at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre. This marked both Myanmar’s first win in the tournament and head coach U Myo Hlaing Win’s debut international victory. Myanmar initially led 1-0 through Lwin Moe Aung’s header in 32 minutes but conceded two goals in the second half, falling behind 2-1. However, striker Win Naing Tun’s crucial goals in 87 minutes and during stoppage time ensured the dramatic win. The Myanmar squad, including Zin Nyi Nyi Aung in goal and key players like Heine Phyo Win, Nanda Kyaw, and Si Thu Aung, started with a balanced lineup. After making substitutions in the first 20 minutes to strengthen their attack, Myanmar created several chances but failed to capitalise in the early stages. Laos managed to equalize and take the lead with goals from Sovanny in 77 minutes and Vamparsath in 81 minutes. With four points from three matches, Myanmar will play their final group-stage match away against Vietnam on 21 December. 

Source: GNLM

Promoting Sports: A Defence and Safeguard for the Nation

SENIOR General Min Aung Hlaing noted that the successful sports achievements that have the potential to raise Myanmar’s State flag to the top in international competitions significantly enhance the nation’s pride and dignity while elevating the country’s status.
State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Fifth National Sports Festival 2024 at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday evening. In his speech, the Senior General underscored the notion that ‘promoting sports is akin to defending and safeguarding the nation’ represents the highest principle.

He highlighted that it is necessary for the entire population, including students, youth, and persons with disabilities, to actively participate in the process of implementing programmes that transition from mass sports to excellent sports, aiming to nurture outstanding athletes.
He emphasized that the successful sports achievements that have the potential to raise Myanmar’s State flag to the top in international competitions significantly enhance the nation’s pride and dignity while elevating the country’s status. Hence, it is emphasized that all citizens should actively collaborate in promoting the sports sector.
He continued to say that the government is making efforts to appropriately enhance the recognition and rewards, including cash awards, for national athletes who have won prestigious prizes in international competitions.
Moreover, the Senior General disclosed that the government is providing monthly allowances and honorary titles to veteran athletes who have once brought glory to the nation. As such, he urged athletes participating in the sports festival to strive for success, and aim to become nationally selected players in order to bring pride to the country.
By including sports in the scoring system, he added, the government manages to facilitate outstanding student-athletes to attend sports and physical education institutes, and awarding sports scholarships.
The Senior General stressed that the Ministry of Education should implement plans to encourage every student and youth to participate in various sports, organize a sports calendar, and systematically arrange annual competitions from the basic education level to college and university levels.
He pointed out that only then will the integration of sports and education-related activities become smoother, leading to the emergence of a new generation of athletes and supporting the continuous development of sustainable sports development of the nation. He urged entire people including student youths and people with disabilities to join the process of upgrading the mass sports level to an excellent sports level. In Myanmar, he explained that it is necessary to organize sports competitions for students and youth in the coming years, as well as inter-ministerial competitions and advanced sports events. These should be included in the sports calendar, and efforts must be made to enhance the level of Myanmar’s sports.
The Senior General stressed the need to systematically train and prepare outstanding athletes who emerge from various competitions, in order to develop Myanmar’s top athletes capable of competing in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and international competitions.
After the Senior General delivered a speech, fireworks were displayed to mark the festival’s opening ceremony. At the opening ceremony, paratroopers from the free-fall squad, carrying the flag of the National Sports Festival along with regional and state flags, landed on the ground and saluted the Senior General.
The renowned singer Htoo L Linn sang the song “Our Myanmar, a modern nation”. A lighting show was presented to accompany a traditional Myanmar orchestra and musical instruments, with music played in a lively and rhythmic fashion. The event continued with a grand opening, during which fireworks were launched. The Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education under the Ministry of Education, presented the song “Beautiful, Beloved Golden Myanmar”, with a performance.
After the State Military Band took the position in the stadium, the sports contingents from ministries, regions and states led by the flag bearers took the positions in the stadium. They hoisted the State flag and saluted it.
Veteran selection athletes conveyed the flag of the National Sports Festival into the stadium. Chairman of the National Sports Fes-
tival U Than Tun Oo ignited the torch to mark the festival and handed it over to Myanmar’s selected player Police Major Aung Cho Myint. The decorated float bearing the torch flanked by ethnic national people headed from the City Hall to Wunna Theikdi Stadium. Selected athletes relayed the torch along the designated route and ignited it at the dais in front of the grandstand. At that moment, the commemorative torch, positioned at the southeast corner of the stadium, was also ignited.
On behalf of athletes and referees, an athlete and a referee took Sports oaths and the flag bearers and athletes left the stadium. The Senior General and his wife, and dignitaries enjoyed choral dances representing six eras of Myanmar performed by artistes from the Fine Arts Department, demonstrated entertainment and songs by members from the Myanmar Paralympic Sports Federation, students from Nay Pyi Taw State Technical High School, Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization, Myanmar Chinlone Federation, Myanmar The atrical Association, Myanmar Comedians’ Association, students from University for Development of National Races, and Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College, performances of students from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The fireworks were displayed to mark the successful completion of the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival.
The Senior General and his wife waved to the attendees and cordially greeted the veteran athletes and artistes. Also present at the ceremony were SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Council
Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe and his wife, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and his wife, council members and their wives, union ministers, union-level dignitaries and their wives, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Command er-in-Chief, the commander of the Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, Olympic Committee members, presidents and officials of sports federations, guests, athletes and sports fans.
The first National Sports Festival was held in Yangon from 3 to 16 May 1992 with 22 sports events, the second in Yangon from 25 January to 6 February 1994 with 24 sports events, the third in Yangon from 11 to 24 January 1997 with 29 sports events, and the fourth in Nay Pyi Taw from 13 to 28 February 2015 with 27 sports events.
In 2024, the Fifth National Sports Festival is being held on a grand scale to aim at enhancing the nation’s sports standards, achieving success in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and other international competitions, and turning out outstanding athletes and new-generation athletes who can bring national honour, fostering greater collaboration and unity between regions, states, and ministries in order to further promote sports activities and stipulating public interest in sports to join in sports activities. The festival is in progress with six sports at the ministerial level and 23 sports at the regional and state level as well as four sports for athletes with disabilities, totalling 33, starting from early December. The para-sports events were held from 5 to 8 December. And, ministerial and regional and state level sports competitions are being held. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

LONDON will witness elite sumo wrestlers in action as well as the ancient sport's pageantry, the Japan Sumo Association said Tuesday in announcing its first tour to the city in 34 years.
Speaking to a press conference at London's Royal Albert Hall, the venue for the association's 1991 visit, JSA president Hakkaku said next year's event will take place from 15 to 19 October, and will include matches between top-level wrestlers as well the sport's ring-entering ceremony.
The overseas tour will be the JSA's 14th and its first since a 2005 visit to Las Vegas. Five other sumo events abroad have been staged since 2006, but these were not run by the association. — Kyodo

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE venues for the 2024 ASEAN Cup, the premier football tournament in the ASEAN region, have been officially announced. Scheduled from 8 December to 5 January, the competition will feature ten teams divided into two groups. Each team will play four group matches: two at home and two away.

In Group A, defending champions Thailand will play at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. Malaysia will host matches at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore at the National Stadium, Cambodia at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, and Timor-Leste at Hang Day Stadium in Vietnam.

In Group B, Vietnam will host matches at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the Philippines at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Myanmar at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon, and Laos at the National Stadium in Vientiane.

Myanmar’s national team will host home matches against Indonesia and Laos at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre. They will travel to play away matches against the Philippines and Vietnam. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZL

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Singha Classic 2024, a premier event on the All Thailand Golf Tour, took place from 7 to 10 November at the Royal Hills Golf Resort in Thailand. Myanmar’s professional golfer Kyaw Thet Oo earned the first runner-up position in this prestigious tournament. Kyaw Thet Oo completed the tournament with a six-under-par 274 strokes on an aggregation on four rounds for 70, 68, 69, and 67 strokes. He finished tied with Thai golfer Newport Laparojkit, who posted a six-under-par 274 strokes on an aggregation in four rounds. In the play off, Laparojkit emerged victorious, securing first place, while Kyaw Thet Oo took second. Another Thai golfer, Thanyakon Khrongpha, claimed third place with 280 strokes. Among other Myanmar participants, Aung San Myo finished 62nd, with scores of 71, 75, 77, and 79, totalling 302 strokes out of 144 competitors. For his runner-up finish, Kyaw Thet Oo received a prize of 285,000 Thai baht. Additionally, he was awarded an honorary bonus by U Ko Ko Aye, president of the Myanmar Golf Federation. Kyaw Thet Oo continues to actively compete in tournaments organized by the All Thailand Golf Tour and the Thailand PGA Tour. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZL

Source: Global New Light of Myanmar

ON 4 November, the Myanmar team drew 3-3 with Australia in their opening match of the group stage at the 2024 ASEAN Futsal Championship, held in Thailand.

The game was highly competitive, with Australia taking the lead three times with goals of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2. However, Myanmar managed to equalize each time, with goals scored by goalkeepers Mai Soe Myat Htwe, Naing Lin Tun Kyaw, and Htut Wai Tun.

In other matches, Indonesia triumphed over Cambodia with a 9-0 victory, while Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0. On 5 November, the Cambodia team will face Myanmar at 10 am Myanmar Standard Time, followed by Indonesia against Australia at noon, Vietnam against Brunei at 3 pm, and Malaysia taking on Thailand at 5 pm. — Ko Nyi Lay/TKO

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

IN the first friendly match between Myanmar’s national team and Sri Lanka’s national team, held on 10 October at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon, Myanmar emerged victorious with a 2-0 win.

That was Myanmar’s first international friendly of the year, and the team claimed a solid victory over Sri Lanka. It was also the debut match for new head coach U Myo Hlaing Win, who led the team to this promising start.

The Myanmar starting lineup included star players such as team captain Maung Maung Lwin, goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Thu, Nanda Kyaw, Soe Moe Kyaw, Thet Htein Soe, Hein Phyo Win, Zaw Win Thein, Kyaw Min Oo, Lwin Moe Aung, Hein Htet Aung, and Than Paing. Under the guidance of their new coach, Myanmar’s team is expected to focus more on collective team play rather than relying on individual efforts, which could improve their overall performance.

Despite missing a few key players, Sri Lanka’s team featured naturalized citizen players and key figures but struggled to find the net due to finishing issues. Lwin Moe Aung scored Myanmar’s goals in 16 minutes, and Maung Maung Lwin from a penalty in 53 minutes, which was set up by Than Paing’s relentless effort.

The second friendly between the two teams will take place at 4 pm Myanmar Standard Time on 13 October at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZL

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

MYANMAR’S Shan United will host the 2024-2025 AFC Challenge League Group D matches at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon.

The tournament will be divided between the East and West Asian zones, with the West Asian zone featuring four teams in three groups and the East Asian zone having three teams in two groups. Shan United will compete in Group D of the East Asian zone alongside Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Futuro and Laos’ Young Elephant.

Group D matches will be held from 27 October to 2 November, with Shan United playing as the home team. The fixtures are as follows: Shan United (Myanmar) versus Young Elephant (Laos) on 27 October, Taichung Futuro (Chinese Taipei) versus Young Elephant (Laos) on 30 October, and Shan United (Myanmar) versus Taichung Futuro (Chinese Tai-pei) on 2 November.

In the group stage draw, the West Asian zone Group A sees East Bengal (India), Nejmeh (Lebanon), Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh), and Paro (Bhutan). Group B features Al-Arabi (Kuwait), Arkadag (Turkmenistan), Maldivian side Maziya, and Abdysh-Ata (Kyrgyzstan). Group C comprises Al-Ahli(Bahrain), Al-Futowa (Syria), Al-Seeb (Oman), and Hilal AlQuds (Palestine). Meanwhile, the East Asian zone Group D consists of Shan United (Myanmar), Tainan City (Chinese Taipei), and Young Elephant (Laos), while Group E includes Madura United (Indonesia), Svay Rieng (Cambodia), and Falcon (Mongolia).

The top two teams from each of the two East Asian groups will advance to the next round, and from the West Asian zone, the top team from each of the three groups and one best-performing second-placed team will qualify. The quarter-finals will feature four teams from the East Asian zone and four from the West Asian zone, with a single match to determine who progresses to the finals, which will feature one team from each zone.

The West Asian group matches will take place from 26 October to 1 November, while the East Asian group matches will be held from 27 October to 2 November. The group matches will be conducted simultaneously, with the quarterfinals and finals being single matches. —Ko Nyi Lay/KZL

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

LIVERPOOL are the new leaders of the Premier League after their 2-1 win away

to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, while Manchester United suffered

another defeat on Sunday.

The problems are piling up for Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United after his

side lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham with dreadful performance, not helped by Bru-

no Fernandes' direct red card just before halftime.

Brennan Johnson scored just three minutes into the match after Micky van de Ven's run and things got worse and worse for the home side.

Fernandes was sent off for a bad challenge on James Maddison, and Spurs showed their superiority with further goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke in the second half.

Aston Villa had the chance to go second on Sunday, but they were held to a 2-2away draw to Ipswich Town, who opened the scoring through Liam Delap's near post show after just eight minutes.

Aston Villa responded quickly with Morgan Rogers levelling after 15 minutes

as Ipswich failed to clear, and they took the lead just after the half hour when

Leon Bailey's cross was nodded in by Ollie Watkins.

Ipswich responded well after the break and got their reward in the 72nd minute when Delap netted a brilliant in dividual goal to save a point for his team.

— Xinhua

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar