5th National Sports Festival: Successful completion of the sports festival

The 5th National Sports Festival came to a successful end on Friday, with the closing ceremony attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The audience enjoyed the final match of football tournament where the Ministry of Construction won the championship after defeating the Ministry of Planning and Finance with the goal score of 1-0.

Saung Hay Man, Hein Yadana Private School, Nay Pyi Taw said "I’m happy to attend the closing ceremony and really excited to enjoy the final football match. I’m here to cheer up both teams."

The winners of football tournament were awarded with individual medals and cash awards. The winners include best goal keeper, best defender, best mid-fielder, best attacker and the best player as well as the first, second and third prize winners of the tournament. In addition, the championship trophies were presented to the top winners at the State and Region level Para Sports Competitions, State and Region level Sports Competitions and the Ministerial Level Sports Competitions.

Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing expressed appreciation for the diligent service of the security forces in ensuring the state's security across various regions of the country, which contributed to the successful organization of the National Sports Festival, before announcing the closing of the ceremony.

The closing ceremony saw the performances of famous vocalists, with the active participation of enthusiast audience. The ceremony also featured the traditional Thingyan Festival program, followed by the screening of a video clip on holding the 5th National Sports Festival.

May Phyu Sin Kyi Oo, Hein Yadana Private School, Nay Pyi Taw said "I’m happy to see famous artists and singers performing and really excited to enjoy the amazing performances and sports competitions."

Cho Thae Oo, Anti-Corruption Commission said "I enjoyed the ceremony very much as there were many amazing performances as well as the lovely mascots. Today, I’m really excited to watch sports competitions. I enjoy every sports competition."

Su Myat Thu, Ministry of Construction said "I’m honor to witness the 5th National Sports Festival held in grand manner. I’m really happy to be here. The ceremony was also amazing with outstanding performances."

Sports events of the 5th National Sports Festival began on December 2nd with six types of sports for the Ministerial Level, 23 types of sports for State and Region Level and four types of sports for Para Sports. Over 10,000 athletes took part in the festival which completed on December 20th. Altogether 1,079 medals were awarded during the festival.

Lin Lat Lat Naing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said "As the individuals from the ministries come to enjoy the closing ceremony together, the friendship between the ministries will be strengthened. There are many excellent performances I enjoyed during the events. It’s really exciting to watch the sports competition. As a volleyball player who participated in inter-ministries tournament, I believe that playing sports help us to be more productive in our workplaces."

The first National Sports Festival was held in Yangon from 3 to 16 May 1992 with 22 sports events, the second in Yangon from 25 January to 6 February 1994 with 24 sports events, the third in Yangon from 11 to 24 January 1997 with 29 sports events, and the fourth in Nay Pyi Taw from 13 to 28 February 2015 with 27 sports events.