The Lao team has won first place in regional level competition at the 7th ASEAN Quiz yesterday after beating nine other ASEAN countries’ teams.The competition was hosted by the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and held in Vientiane.
Representing the Lao team were Ms Antika Xayaphone, Ms Sirisopha Sithiphone and Mr. Chanchaleun Rasphone from secondary schools in Champassak and Vientiane.
The second place team came from the Philippines, while the Thai team took third place.
We were so proud to win this competition and I would like to say thank you to our coach and teachers who had always supported and helped us in preparation for this competition, said Ms Antika Xayaphone.
She said they received a lot of things from the event, including new knowledge about ASEAN and ASEAN member states and new friendships.
To be the winners was not easy. We dedicated ourselves to this competition for a few months and finally got the prize, Ms Antika said.
The ASEAN Quiz is one of the activities of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. It was initiated by the ASEAN Committee for Culture and Information (ASESAN COCI). It has been a test on ASEAN knowledge participated in by students of state and private secondary schools of the ten ASEAN member countries, says Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr. Buangeun Saphouvong in his opening remarks. He said the project is aimed at campaigning, disseminating and promoting the spirit of contest for friendship and solidarity among ASEAN youths.
The ASEAN Quiz was meant to introduce and reflect the historical, social, political and economic background and evolution of Southeast Asia while providing good opportunities for ASEAN students to make friends, improve their communication skills, and exchange their cultures among each other.
This ASEAN Quiz is one of the ASEAN cooperation framework activities contributed to significantly by the ASEAN member countries to mark Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship for 2016, Mr. Buangeun said.
This engagement with our ASEAN youths will contribute to the many efforts aimed at community building and assist in the development of a sense of readiness to live out and participate in the narrative of an ASEAN Community that is continuously broadened and strengthened by the inclusive spirit that promotes intellectual cultivation, encourages creativity, and respects diversity, he added
Launched in 2002, the ASEAN Quiz has now been recognised as an effective vehicle not only in the promotion of ASEAN awareness but also in bringing about opportunities for the ASEAN youth to develop friendships and gain deeper understanding and appreciation of ASEANF, said Director General of Mass Media Department Mr. Pinpatthana Phanthamaly.
Source: Vientiane Times
