STORY: Aiming at medals, Laos gears up for Hangzhou Asian Games
DATELINE: Sept. 12, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:02
LOCATION: Vientiane
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Hangzhou and Asian Games related footage
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Lao): NOUM SOUVANNALITH, Lao athlete
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): CHANDAI PHIATHEP, Lao coach
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Lao): BEE SENGSOULIN, Lao athlete

STORYLINE:

Laos is gearing up for the upcoming 19th Asian Games in China's Hangzhou.

Aiming at medals, some athletes and a coach have shared their views with Xinhua.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Lao): NOUM SOUVANNALITH, Lao athlete
"My name is Noum Souvannalith. I'm a Lao national sepak takraw player. I'm looking forward to winning a medal for the Lao people at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. We performed quite well in the latest Asian Games held in Indonesia and won a silver medal. We'll do our best this time too."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): CHANDAI PHIATHEP, Lao coach
"My name is Chandai Phiathep. I'm the coach of the Lao national sepak takraw team. I'm very happy and proud that our team can participate in the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China. I heard that Hangzhou is a beautiful metropolitan and can host the Asian Games well.
I look forward to the Lao sepak takraw team winning medals for the Lao people. I think the Hangzhou Asian Games can unite forces in Asia and play a positive role. The Asian Games hosted by China will promote unity and friendship in Asia."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Lao): BEE SENGSOULIN, Lao athlete
"My name is Bee Sengsoulin. I'm a baseball player. We are determined to win the Hangzhou Asian Games. We've been training for four or five months and are currently training actively at the National Baseball Stadium. We are 95 percent ready now.
This will be my first time to participate in the Asian Games held in China. I can't imagine what it will be like, but I think the conditions in China will be very good. We are very excited and looking forward to the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Hello! Hangzhou."

The 19th Asian Games, which will open on Sept. 23 in China's Hangzhou, is set to be the largest edition ever, with 12,500 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 481 events.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Vientiane.
(XHTV)