The Closing Ceremony of the Fifth National Sports Festival 2024 was organized at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw on 20 December. The event was graced by Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, together with SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife, SAC Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe and wife, SAC Joint-Secretary General Ye Win Oo and wife, SAC members and wives, union ministers, union-level dignitaries and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander, members of Olympic Committee, presidents of Myanmar sports federations, specially invited guests, managers, coaches and athletes of sports contingents of union ministries and regions and states, Tatmadaw members, staff of ministries, artistes, students and sports enthusiasts.
First, the Senior General and wife, and dignitaries watched the final match in the football tournament of the Fifth National Sports Festival 2024, followed by closing ceremony of the festival. During which, the Senior General and wife, and party enjoyed the song entertainment “Revitalization of Atar Thingyan as Traditional Heritage” to mark the recognizing the Traditional Myanmar Atar Thingyan Festival on the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Following this, SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win presented individual medals and mascots marking the national sports festival to players from the first-prize winning Ministry of Construction.
Next, SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presented championship trophies to Champion Ayeyawady Region team in the Inter-State and Region parasports competition, Champion Yangon Region team in the Inter-State and Region sports competition, and Champion Ministry of Defence team in the Inter-Ministry sports competition, respectively. After that, the Senior General delivered remarks as follows:
- The Fifth National Sports Festival, which commenced on 2nd December, involved six sports events for union-level organizations and ministries, 23 sports events for Nay Pyi Taw Council, regions and states and four sports for the athletes with disabilities. So, more than 10,000 athletes, administrators, coaches, referees and juries participated in the fifth festival.
- In this sports festival, the meetings among national ethnic brethren from the union ministries, Nay Pyi Taw Council, and states/regions were not just ordinary gatherings; they were based on a spirit of sportsmanship, fairness, and mutual respect.
- It is a grand festival showcasing national movement and strength, a celebration that demonstrates unity and peace, and a remarkable occasion reflecting the resilience, strength, and pride of the entire nation more than just a sporting event.
- In this national sports festival, the speech addressed the citizens of Myanmar, emphasizing that all citizens, residing within Myanmar, are performing their duties for the benefit of the country and the people according to their respective fields. The Senior General expressed his deep acknowledgement and honour over the patriotism and love for the country of every citizen.
- Winning medals and raising the national flag on the global stage brings more honor than any personal recognition, as it elevates both the sports and the nation’s honor.
- Currently, Myanmar faces both internal and external threats and instances of interference. Moreover, many small countries which are strategically important ones around the worlds are facing similar situations, and it is necessary for the people, the government, and the Tatmadaw to unite with collective strength and solidarity against those dangers.
- The speech emphasized recognizing and honoring the Tatmadaw members, Myanmar Police Force members, and civil servants who have been serving their duties for the country and people amid such difficulties.
- This grand national sports festival, which is significant for the entire nation and aims to enhance national unity and morale, has been successfully organized and held in this way thanks to the heroes who are protecting and safeguarding the country.
- The Senior General solemnly and respectfully honours all Tatmadaw members, MPF members, People’s Military Servant members, civil servants, and other patriotic citizens who sacrificed their lives in defending the nation and the people.
- Qualified players from the festival must be organized to take training as part of preparations to achieve success in the XXXIII SEA Games and XIII ASEAN Para Games to be hosted by Thailand in 2025 and 2026.
- May all athletes who participated in the sports festival be able to leapfrog from the sports sector to a developed society through their perfect practice, high standards, intelligence, unity, perseverance, observance of disciplines, moral compass, mutual understanding, warm friendship and transparent exchanges of views, following the closing ceremony announced.
After that, the fireworks were displayed to mark the successful completion of the closing ceremony of the Fifth National Sports Festival 2024. Simultaneously, the flame to mark the festival ignited by the selected Myanmar athletes, who uplifted prestige of the State through sports, at the opening ceremony of the festival on 9 December was put out. Similarly, other festivities took place including martial art demonstrations of the Myanmar Thaing Federation, traditional dances of ethnic groups in states and regions, singing the sports festival closing song.
The Fifth National Sports Festival 2024 which commenced on 2 December was successfully 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.
Source: MWD (21-12-2024)
- During the ceremony, SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presented championship trophies to Champion Ayeyawady Region team in the Inter-State and Region parasports competition, Champion Yangon Region team in the Inter-State and Region sports competition, and Champion Ministry of Defence team in the Inter-Ministry sports competition, respectively.
- In this sports festival, the meetings among national ethnic brethren from the union ministries, Nay Pyi Taw Council, and states/regions were not just ordinary gatherings; they were based on a spirit of sportsmanship, fairness, and mutual respect.
- It is a grand festival showcasing national movement and strength, a celebration that demonstrates unity and peace, and a remarkable occasion reflecting the resilience, strength, and pride of the entire nation more than just a sporting event.
- Myanmar faces both internal and external threats and instances of interference. Moreover, many small countries which are strategically important ones around the worlds are facing similar situations, and it is necessary for the people, the government, and the Tatmadaw to unite with collective strength and solidarity against those dangers.
- The speech emphasized recognizing and honoring the Tatmadaw members, Myanmar Police Force members, and civil servants who have been serving their duties for the country and people amid such difficulties.
- This grand national sports festival, which is significant for the entire nation and aims to enhance national unity and morale, has been successfully organized and held in this way thanks to the heroes who are protecting and safeguarding the country.
- The Senior General solemnly and respectfully honours all Tatmadaw members, MPF members, People’s Military Servant members, civil servants, and other patriotic citizens who sacrificed their lives in defending the nation and the people.