Nay Pyi Taw February 11
A ceremony to honour and present awards to Tatmadaw member athletes who won medals at the 19th Asian Games, 33rd SEA Games and 13th ASEAN Para Games and their coaches took place at the parlour of Bayintnaung Villa here this afternoon. Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an address at the ceremony and presented honorary awards.
Also present at the ceremony together with the Senior General were his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SSPC Vice Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo and wife, SSPC members and wives, union ministers, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, Tatmadaw member athletes who bring honor to the State and coaches and officials.
In his keynote address, the Senior General said with pleasure, he is proud of the medalists who used their strength with unrelenting perseverance to uplift the prestige of the nation and Tatmadaw in accord with the sports motto “Sports promotion is for national defence”, and their coaches and managers who worked as their best guides.
Myanmar sepak takraw team which included one Tatmadawmen won gold in team-wise at the 19th Asian Games. The nation took part in 38 events at the 33rd SEA Games, and Tatmadaw members won one silver medal and five bronze medals in four events. Tatmadaw coaches could guide their athletes to win four silver, 10 bronze in rowing, weightlifting, boxing, wushu, wrestling events.
The 13th ASEAN Para Games that were held early this year included 19 events, and Tatmadaw member athletes won five gold, six silver, and three bronze in track and field, sitting volleyball, football, and goalball events. Like the athletes, Tatmadaw coaches were able to show their coaching talent by winning two gold, three silver and four bronze. It is an honorable achievement not only for the country but also for the Tatmadaw.
Participants at the SEA Games showed their best athletic performance, and the Tatmadaw members who took part in the Para Games proved with best efforts that they were able people with disabilities. In both Games, athletes won medals in individual events as well as in team events, and this vividly demonstrates the strong foundation of the spirit of unity of Myanmar people.
Historical records show that during the finest hours, the country’s sports success not only reached the Asian level, but also the world level. A study of the success of Myanmar sports shows that the brilliant performances of Tatmadaw members still shine. The success of Tatmadawmen in the international games, apart from domestic events, is going down in the annals of history till today. The talent of Tatmadawmen footballers of the golden age of Myanmar football is still remembered and recounted with pride.
The Senior General stated that the “never accept defeat, never give up” spirit instilled by sports is also connected to national development. Not giving up on oneself and not giving up on one’s team is not only about protecting one’s own honour but also about safeguarding the country’s image from decline. It is necessary for not just athletes but every citizen to harbour the awareness that they must protect and uphold the nation. Only when such consciousness thrives in the hearts of every citizen can the country be protected against dangers that would lead to its destruction and decay.
At today’s ceremony, athletes and coaches from the Tatmadaw who have enhanced the prestige of the nation and the military will be honoured with the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ Honorary Certificate, Commendation Letter, cash awards, as well as promotions. The Senior General also noted that this recognition is in accordance with the virtuous principle of honouring those deserving of honour, and also serves to set a fine example for future generations of athletes.
He then expressed that the nation and the Tatmadaw acknowledge and take pride in the military athletes who have won medals in international sporting competitions and brought honour to the country. He remarked that success in the sports sector indirectly reflects the nation’s development and called upon the athletes to continue striving for even greater achievements, thereby further elevating the prestige of the nation and the Tatmadaw.
Subsequently, a ceremony was held to present honours to military athletes and coaches who had won medals at the 19th Asian Games, the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, and the 13th ASEAN Para Games. The Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services individually presented the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ Honorary Certificates, Commendation Letters, and honorarium cash awards to WO Thant Zin Oo, who won a gold medal in the team sepak takraw event at the 19th Asian Games; WO Tin Nyo, who won gold medals in the individual javelin throw and shot put events at the 13th ASEAN Para Games; WO II Aung Zaw, Corporal/13 Kyaw Zeya Win, and Lance Corporal Soe Paing Oo, who won a silver medal in the team chinlone (in-circle) event at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games; and WO II Thet Win, who coached athletes to win gold, silver, and bronze medals in athletics at the 13th ASEAN Para Games.
Following this, Vice-Senior General Soe Win individually presented the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ Honorary Certificates, Commendation Letters, and honorarium cash awards to WO II Soe Pay, who won a gold medal in the individual 200-meter athletics event and a silver medal in the individual 100-meter event at the 13th ASEAN Para Games; Sergeant Ye Min Soe, who won a gold and a silver medal in the individual shot put event; civilian staff member (on deputation) Ma Thae Theint Theint Thu, who won a bronze medal in the individual wrestling event at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games; and sub Sergeant/52 Aung Thu Tun, who coached athletes to win gold, silver, and bronze medals in athletics at the 13th ASEAN Para Games.
Continuing the ceremony, members of the Commission and senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief presented the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ Honorary Certificates, Commendation Letters, and honorarium cash awards to the military athletes and coaches who had brought honour to the nation.
Afterwards, WO II Soe Pay, on behalf of the honoree military athletes and coaches, expressed words of gratitude.
Subsequently, the Senior General and party hosted a tea reception in honour of the Tatmadaw athletes and coaches who had brought glory to the nation. Artists from the Myawady Musical Troupe, under the direction of the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), performed commemorative songs.
Following the honorary reception and entertainment event, the the Senior General, his wife, and party cordially greeted and conversed warmly with the Tatmadaw athletes and coaches who had brought honour to the nation.
