Tatmadaw sports competition: SAC Chairman addressed the opening ceremony

The Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander In Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an opening speech at the opening ceremony of 2022 Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) sports competition held at Zayyarthiri Tatmadaw sports ground in Nay Pyi Taw in the evening on Monday.  

Together with the SAC Chairman Commander In Chief of Defense Service Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SAC vice Chairman Deputy Commander In Chief of Defense Service Vice Senior General Soe and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Union Ministers and wives, Tatmadaw senior officials from the office of the commander in chief and their wives, commander of Nay Pyi Taw command and his wife, trainee senior officers from the National Defence College, the officers, tatmadawmen and families from the battalion/units under the commanding of Nay Pyi Taw command, Nay Pyi Taw War Veterans, trainees from Tatmadaw football academy and the athletes attended the ceremony.

First, the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) military band took a place in the play ground and the flag bearers led by the parade commander and athletes from 17 sport teams took place. Next, the chairman of Tatmadaw sports and physical education administration board, adjutant general Lt. Gen. Soe Min Oo and commander of Nay Pyi Taw command Ma-J Gen. Zaw Hein released the balloons by cutting the ribbon when the opening of the ceremony was declared.

Then, the SAC Chairman Commander In Chief of Defense Services received the salute of the flag bearers led by the parade commander and athletes. Next, the SAC Chairman Commander In Chief of Defense Services delivered the opening speech of 2022 Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) sports competition.

In his speech, the SAC Chairman Commander In Chief of Defense Services said that although Tatmadaw sports competition was held annually but it was suspended previous years due to the high infection of COVID-19 pandemic. At the moment, as the pandemic can be controlled to some extent, the sports competition is organized again.

This year Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) Sports competition, ten sports competitions will be held and those sports competitions are aimed at showing the physical fitness, perseverance and unity of the Tatmadawmen and turning out the new generation athletes bringing state pride. So, the athletes are urged to compete using the best ability.

The Senior General pointed out that the competitive sports, Myanmar martial art shows national spirit and prestige of Myanmar people, courage and physical strength. In the past, Myanmar's swordsmanship played an important role in the Myanmar’s history which bravely resisted foreign imperialists.

That’s why, the Myanmar martial arts competition has been competed since 2019.Just like the men, the role of women is also important. So, athletics, judo, volleyball and shooting contest should be included in the women's events.

The Senior General called on striving for success by showing their abilities through Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Sports Competition, participating with diligence and perseverance with the concept of protecting the nation on the other hand by promoting sports sector, striving to hand over good tradition to new generation athletes, to become good athletes who can promote the prestige the nation and Tatmadaw with sportsman spirit.

Later, the flag team led by the Parade commander and athletes from 17 sports teams saluted in line of column to the Senior General. Later, the Senior General and those presents enjoyed competing of the Eastern Command representing team and the Central Command representing team at the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (a) Level Football Tournament 1st semifinal event.

In the event, the Central Command representing team beat the Eastern Command representing team 2-1. 25 kinds of sports such as football, track and field, Dudo, Taekwondo, volley ball, Myanmar martial arts, SepakTakraw, Karate, boxing (Lethwei) and shooting contests will be competed in the 2022 Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Sports Competition.