Goal Programme - Lao Football Federation - 2001

Victory in the U-14 Nations Tournament and runners-up and third place finishes in the U-17 and U-20 Tournaments of the Asean Football Federation are the rewards for the Laos Football Federation's hard work in the sphere of youth football over the past few years. Several former top players such as Samphou Phonsa (now Director of Youth Programmes and Coaching), Xaysana Savatdy (now U-14 national team coach) and Bounlap Kenkitisack (U-16 national team coach) have committed themselves to youth development. The government supports the association in organising competitions at every age level. Summer camps are frequently arranged for primary and secondary school children with the help of the education authorities.

Inaugurated on 8 May 2002 by Mohamed Bin Hammam, President of the Asian Football Confederation and chairman of the Goal Bureau, the training centre in Vientiane, with rooms for overnight stays and two football pitches, can be used in a variety of ways - as a training ground for national teams or a venue for courses and seminars or a sports medical centre. It will form the hub of long-term plans to develop football in all of its facets. The project was financed chiefly by Goal and the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme. The national association also contributed to its realisation with a hefty injection of funds. The land was supplied by the government, which is kindly disposed to sport, and especially football, and gives the national association's activities staunch backing.