This will be the major comeback for BDTA's after 10 years draught for the tournament. Asher Khan and Hanadi Hambali will showcase their best at singles competitions while doubles categories by Abd Hamizan Abd Hamid and his partner Mohaimin Hj Awang.

Sixty registered player will represents 11 nations for the tournament. Ten other countries were Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Myanmar, Qatar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UAE and Yemen.

"In recognition of your outstanding effort in the promotion of sport in Laos, your bringing Southeast Asian athletes to share a unique experience of the Games in Vientiane, and for fulfilling the Olympic ideals as expounded by Pierre de Coubertin, the founding father of the modern Olympic Games, the IOC awards you the International Olympic Committee President's Trophy," said Ng.

"On behalf of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Family congratulate the Lao People's Democratic Republic for hosting the South East Asian Games for the very first time. You have organized excellent Games and extended your warm and wonderful hospitality and friendship to all the participants and visitors to the Games.

"To each and every one of the 3100 athletes from the 11 SEA Games countries, you have competed, lived and embraced the Olympic values of "Excellence, Friendship and Respect". Congratulations on your outstanding performances.

"On behalf of the International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, I have the privilege of honouring the Government and the people of Lao People's Democratic Republic and the man responsible for organizing the Games, His Excellency Somsavat Lengsavad, Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 25th South East Asian Games."

Over the past three years, Laos have worked tirelessly to fulfil the Government's vision to promote sport among the people of the country, hence contributing to building a peaceful and better world through the practice of sport in the Olympic spirit. Sport is after all the only language understood by everyone, and an important element that unites people and the Laos government took on the challenge to host the 25th SEA Games and successfully transformed the sporting landscape of the country.

The Sports Complex at Km16 with its magnificent main stadium, aquatic centre, shooting range, tennis courts and competition halls, amongst the other outstanding facilities spread over Vientiane such as the SEA Games Golf Course and the Judo Hall are among the best found in the region.

"Excellency, your personal interest and attention in the organization of the Games have resulted in the most successful Games, not only in terms of the excellent organization and outstanding hospitality, but also in the remarkable performances from the Laos athletes. The Laos athletes achieved a record total of 33 gold medals, 25 silver and 52 bronze medals to finish seventh overall," he added.

The Laos People's Democratic Republic now joins the list of countries that have successfully hosted the South East Asian Games. In his keynote address during the closing ceremony of the 25th edition of the SEA Games last night, His Excellency Bouasone Bouphavanh, the Prime Minister of the Laos said that Laos faced some difficulties in preparing for the Games.

"But as a member of ASEAN, we are committed to putting on the best Games we can. We, the Organizing Committee, contributed out best effort in every aspect to ensure that these SEA Games embody the Games' philosophy of cooperation, friendship and mutual development," added Bouasone.

"This is an opportunity for national economic and social development that will contribute to the preservation of our national culture and is a wonderful chance to show the world out beloved country which holds dear the sentiment of the Games motto: Generosity, Amity, Healthy Lifestyle." Courtesy of ICT Committee.

Vietnam, who had beaten Malaysia in the group stages, Failed to convert their dominance to lead the game in the first half. Malaysia, superior in the second period, scored with just six minutes to go. Under pressure from Malaysia's Talaha Norshahrul Idlan, Vietnam's Mai Xuan Hop could only divert the ball into his own net and his side were unable to find an equaliser in the time remaining.

Both teams struggled to find their fluency in a scrappy opening spell although as the half wore on Vietnam started to enjoy more of the possession. They went close on 25 minutes with a header well saved by Malaysia's Mohamad Sharbinee Allawee but failed to create many clear openings in a stadium filled with thousands of Vietnam supporters clad in red t-shirts.

In the second half Malaysia threatened much more, particularly on the counter-attack. Saarani Ahmad Fakri missed a good chance with his head at the near post after a cross by Idlan. Four minutes later they had a shot cleared off the line. Zaquan Adha burst through the middle just after coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute but could not finish.

Urged on by their fanatical supporters, Vietnam continued to push forward but left themselves exposed to quick breakaways and eventually paid the price.Photo credited to afp.

Watched on by a capacity pro-Barcelona crowd totalling 40,952, the UEFA Champions League winners rallied from a goal down to beat the CONCACAF Champions Cup winners.

Barcelona will take on Copa Libertadores winners Estudiantes in the final on December 19. Atlante FC will meet Pohang Steelers in the play-off for third place on the same day.

The Catalans who had lost their way a bit in the first half and had levelled through Sergio Busquets, had to rely on the ‘Messi Magic’ to take them through. Messi came off the bench in the 55th minute and scored in the same minute to pilot the Spanish giants home.

Sergio Busquets scored in the 35th minute, Lionel Messi scored in the 55th minute and Pedro rounded it off in the 67th minute. Guillermo Rojas scored in the fifth minute for Atlante.

Despite the packed Stadium rooting for the Spanish giants, the small boys from Mexico were fired up for the game. Their forwards were menacing, the midfield controlled the game and the defence stood up well to the Barcelona forwards.

In fact, they scored off their first foray in just the fifth minute of play after the Barcelona defence lay in tatters. Midfielder Guillermo Rojas made a fine interception of a long ball in and Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes charged out of his citadel. And despite defender Dani Alves tailing him, Rojas had the legs over him and nudged his left-footer into goal.

Barca threatened two minutes later but only just as Sergio Busquets’s dangerous header off a Xavi corner was collected by goalkeeper and captain 
Federico Vilar.

Barcelona defender Dani Alves received a yellow card for a foul on old rival Santiago Solari. The lanky Solari has played for Real Madrid in the 
Spanish League.

The Barcelona defence was all over the place again and Fernando Navarro could have got Atlante’s second just five minutes after the opening goal. Navarro slipped through the Barca defence and had just the goalkeeper Victor Valdes to beat but captain Carles Puyol, who tailed him, made contact just at the nick of time and deflected the ball away.

Stung by the early reverse, Barcelona hit their strides and almost got the equaliser in the 26th minute but their charismatic playmaker Andre Iniesta’s swerving left-footer sailed over the cross bar.

Later, in the 33rd minute, the rocker-looking Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who moved from Italian club Inter Milan this season, fired a threatening free kick just over the cross bar.

But they didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser as Sergio Busquets drew level for Barca just after the half hour mark. The unmarked Busquets drove his grounder home from a Yaya Toure header off a Xavi corner in the 
35th minute.

The Catalans could have gone into the break 2-1 but Dani Alves, who charged down the right flank, muffed his shot when he just had the goalkeeper to beat. The Brazilian sent his shot wide of 
the post.

The whole stadium erupted with chants of “Messi, Messi” in the 55th minute as coach Pep Guardiola brought in the Argentine ace in place of Yaya Toure. He made a double substitution bringing on Gerard Pique for 
Rafael Marquez.

And Messi, who was a doubtful starter for the game because of an ankle injury sustained during their Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev last Wednesday, responded by doubling the lead off his first touch on the ball in the very same minute he came on.

The European Footballer of the Year sent it home from close range after being put in by Iniesta. And despite the goalkeeper Federico Velar getting a bit of hand on it, the ball rolled in.

Messi’s arrival sparked Barca’s revival and they were in the zone now and scored a third through Pedro in the 67th minute after some neat groundwork by playmaker Iniesta.

Atlante could had reduced the deficit but Rafael Marquez’s shot was averted by goalkeeper Victor Valdes in the 76th minute. Photo credited to gettyimage.

What makes this 11th ball generations special is the South African concept in its design. In addition, the ball designed used the latest and precise designing technology which makes it the most accurate round shape soccer ball, said as the best in soccer ball making history.

Jabulani simply means ‘to celebrate’ in Zulu language. The ball comes with 11 different colours to represents 11 players for each football team and also to highlights 11 different language that are widely used in South Africa. The colourfull stripes also represents the heritage of African nations culture.

Furthermore, Jabulani was the 11th Adidas soccer ball production for the FIFA World Cup competitions since 1970.

The outcome from the ball testing prior its official announcement as world cup 2010 soccer ball, Jabulani was said to have an increased of 5% in its speed when kicked from a range of 20 meters. The test was taken at above 1000 meter above sea level and calculated with a maximum speed of 126km/hour. This test was taken due to most of the game venue were more than 1000 meters above sea level. At sea level, the maximum tested speed was 120km/hr.

Every production, adidas was recorded to produce a much faster ball leaving any goal keeper with no choice but to maximize their reaction speed. Most of the greatest footballer did amazed with the new soccer ball and can't wait to test it on the ground.

Brunei Darussalam contingent now added its medal tally collection with first gold medal through Pencak Silat Men’s Tunggal event in the 25th SEA Games Laos. Haji Md Khairul Bahrin Haji Duraman easily became Brunei hero with the first gold from 28 other athletes for the sultanates.

Meanwhile on day four of the competitions, Brunei bagged 3 more medals. Brunei women’s karate-do veteran, Masdiana Haji Tengah who competes in the 50kg and below finished with bronze.

In the women’s Wushu Duilian category, Brunei athletes Faustina Woo Wai and partner, Lee Ying Shi scooped first silver medal for the sultanate’s. Meanwhile also in the Wushu Men Duilian with weapon category, a twin brother Isa bin Bismi and Ismi bin Bismi won the bronze medal.

Whilst more people pays attention to the 25th SEA Games in Laos, Seri Kenangan beach in Tutong remain one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations, when Tutong Beach Sports Carnival 2009 was held yesterday. The events was organised by the Tutong District Youth & Sports Department.

The “fun day” participated by four “mukims” from Tutong district, Mukim Keriam, Mukim Kiudang, Mukim Ukong and Mukim Telisai. A fully stretched day events provides fun competitive individual and group games such as tug-of-war, strongest men, bottle fishing, beach soccer match, beach sepak takraw and many more.

Strengthening the relationships amongst the Tutong populations was the major aims for this sports event. The final event from yesterday fun day was the prize presentations to the winners for each individual and group participation. Mukim Kiudang teams bring home the title with 115 points. Meanwhile Mukim Keriam and Mukim Ukong finished second and third respectively with 104 points and 94 points.

Present as the guest of honour was acting Tutong district officer, Awang Haji Muhammad Suffian bin Haji Bungsu.

Three days after an official launching of the 25th Sea Games competitions, Brunei Darussalam now can be seen in the medals table after scooping three bronze medals through karate-do events.

Men's kumite 84 kg and above categories specialist, Mohammad Jamil Haji Abdul Hamid became the first sultanate's athlete to claim the first bronze medal after stamping over Thailand's Santi Ruema 7-2.

In the men's kumite 67 kg and below, Mohammad Fadillah Sanif secure its podium place for Brunei's second bronze yesterday after outclassed Sovan Kiri 9-1 from Cambodia.

Another Cambodian athlete, Eng Kakada became the next victims to the sultanate's new comers to represents Brunei National teams, Mainudin Haji Mohammad in the men's 84 kg and below events. With style, Mainuddin won the fight by 11-3 to made 3 bronze for Brunei in day three of the competitions.

While in the women's 55kg and below category, Dayangku Nurleha binte Pengiran Abdul Rahman who is also her first appearance in SEA Games failed her bid for podium finish.

In the day four of the competitions today, Brunei's martial arts participations in karate-do and taekwando events will be hoping for another medals collections to see four more categories. Womens veteran Masdiana Haji Tengah will competes in 50kg and below category, Mohammad Fadillah in the men's 67kg and below category, Mohd Fida'iy Haji Sanif in the men's 60kg and below category and Haji Eddie Jofriani Haji Johari in the men's 55kg and below category.

Whilst Brunei's only representatives in taekwando quarter-finals events, Mohd Fathullah Mohd Taib will be also competing today in the finweight division against Tan Junwei from Singapore.

Brunei Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah has been a pool enthusiasts for long already and will be participating the 25th SEA Games in Laos. The Crowned Prince presents will be not as a spectator, but as one of the 39 Brunei's best athletes sent to take part in the 9-Ball Pool men’s singles and men’s Doubles event.

Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah will pair up with Teo Chee Soon in the men’s Doubles events, which will begin on December 10-12 at the Convention Hall Don Chan Palace Hotel. Whilst the individual event will take place on December 15-16 at the same palce.

Previously, Brunei's Crown Prince Muhtadee Billah looks over a shot during the fifth round match in the men's eight ball pool at the Southeast-Asian (SEA) Games in Nakhon Ratchasima December 10 of the Sea Games 2007 drama. At the last SEA Games in Korat, Brunei contingent only managed to grab a gold medals.

In this 25th episode, Billiards will be one of the seven events which Brunei will be participating in this SEA Games along with Karatedo, Pencak Silat, Athletics, Sepak Takraw, Taekwando and Wushu. Photo credit to Reuters

Less than a year, football sport followers will be entertained with the most awaited football competitions in the planet. Held every four years and contested amongst the 32 best men's football national teams from around the world meets for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The competitions will be only unique to the registered teams to Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body.

The main phase or so called the World Cup Finals only lasted for a month. What makes it more awarded would be the qualification phase or process lasted for three years before they can be included within the last 32 teams for the final spot.

Well known as World Cup or FIFA World Cup, it is believe to be the most widely-viewing sporting event in the planet. An estimated of more than 700 million people watched the 2006 final match, that far more than the number of individuals watching Olympic Games. For those who purchased the world cup 2010 tickets would be proud to have it and bon voyage for the South Africa trip where it will be held between 11 june and 11 july 2010.

Yesterday (5th December 2009) remarks the next year's world cup finals to make-up the eight groups held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa - the first step for the decider match to qualify for the top 16. Here are the results of yesterday's draw:-

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay & France

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea & Greece

Group C: England, United States of America, Algeria & Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia & Ghana

Group E: The Netherlands, Denmark, Japan & Cameroon

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand & Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast & Portugal

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras & Chile

Also present to helps the Final Draw on the stage is the South African President Jacob Zuma, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, Ethiopian athelete Haile Gebrselassie, England's David Beckham and the South African actress Charlize Theron. Presents for the draws is each team coaches except Diego Maradona after banned by FIFA to attend the draw and some other football related as well as FIFA officials.

The finals will get underway on the schedule date with the host nation, South Africa facing Mexico at Soccer City. The Johannesburg stadium also hosted the final on 11 July 2009.
p/s: Ball photo credit to fifa.com.