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The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 26 November, 2001)(1/2)

The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 26 November, 2001)(1/2)
----------------------------------
1. 55th World Amateur Men's Bodybuilding Championships open
2. Secretary-1 attends cash presentation ceremony for
   construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image
3. Leading Committee for Organizing Second Traditional
   Medicine Practitioners Conference meets
4. Secretary-1 gives instructions on construction of white
   elephant-house
5. - Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards announced
     Winners of National Literary Awards announced
   - Prizes presented to winners of ASEAN painting contest
6. - Merit-sharing ceremony of Jivitadana Sangha Hospital held
   - Gold plates donated to Shwedagon Pagoda
7. - Japanese wellwishers donate medical equipment worth US
     $ 162,000
   - Minister attends opening of new school building
   - MWJA helds paper reading session
8. - Minister inspects bridge construction sites
   - Construction of roads and bridges inspected
9. 60 blocks of heroin and 200,000 stimulant tablets seized
   in Kengtung

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( 1 ) 55th World Amateur Men's Bodybuilding Championships open

Holding of national, international championships helps promote youth's
physical, mental strength and equip them better to meet challenges of life

Yangon, 25 Nov-The opening ceremony of the 55th World Amateur Men's
Bodybuilding Championships hosted by Myanmar for the first time and finals of
the contest were held at the National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna in
Thingangyun Township this afternoon. Present were Patron of Organizing
Committee for the 55th World Amateur Men's Bodybuilding Championships
Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace
and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, member of the State Peace and
Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Commander of Yangon
Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, Chairman of Leading
Organizing Committee for the 55th World Amateur Men's Bodybuilding
Championships Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and members, Chairman of Yangon City
Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, senior military officers of the
Ministry of Defence, the deputy ministers, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor
Col Maung Pa and members, Vice-President of the International Federation of
Bodybuilders for Asia Secretary-General of Asian Bodybuilding Federation Mr
Paul Chua, President of ABBF Mr Mergaliev Bulat of Kazakhstan,
vice-presidents, Executive Assistant to the President Chairman of Judges
Committee Mr Rafael Santonja, Chairman of Medical Committee Dr Robert Martin
Goldman and members, members of Medical Advisory Committee, Chairman of
Judges Mr Hong Young Pyo, Chairman of Technical Committee Mr Tony Blinn,
Executives of IFBB and ABBF, Ms Kerry Jane Knowler of World Anti-Drug Agency,
Miss Olympia Miss Juliette Beirgman, members of Judges Committee,
Secre-taryÊof Women's Committee of ABBF Ms Christina Kam Yuan, delegates of
countries of IFBB and ABBF, Chairman of Work Committee President of Myanmar
Bodybuilding Federation Secretary of YCDC Col Myint Aung, members, Chairmen
of Sub-committees, officials of the State Peace and Development Council
Office, heads of departments, ambassadors, resident representatives of UN
Agencies, local and foreign newsmen, presidents and secretaries of sports
federations, heads of departments of YCDC, deputy heads of departments,
sports writers, managers and coaches of 51 countries, students, guests and
sports fans.


 U Hla Win and Daw Thwe Thwe Myint of Myanma Radio and Television acted as
masters of ceremonies and announced the programmes. Girls from No 2 Basic
Education High School carrying the placards each bearing the names of the
participating teams of Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bulgaria,
China, China (Taipei), Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia,
Finland, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iraq,
Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Malaysia,
Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi
Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand,
Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Wales (UK) and Myanmar, took place on
the stage. Band of Myanmar Police Force played the National Anthem of Myanmar
and the champinship contest was declared open. Words, namely, "Welcome to
Yangon, Union of Myanmar, the 55th World Amateur Men's Bodybuild-ing
Championships, Mr Universe 2001, and "Body-building is nation-building" were
displayed on cards by the students from BEHS Nos 1 and 2 in Thingangyun
Township.



 The Secretary-1 then delivered a speech. He said: It is indeed a great
pleasure for me to give the inaugural address at this opening ceremony of the
55th World Amateur Men's Body-building Championships. First of all, allow me
to extend the warmest greetings and heartiest welcome to all the organizers,
judges, body-builders and supporters who have come from different parts of
the world to take part in the Championships. Today is indeed a great day in
the annals of Myanmar's sports history for this is the first time that a
World Bodybuilding Championship is being held in Myanmar.

 Two years ago, when we were holding the Second Southeast Asian Bodybuilding
Championships in Yangon, the Vice President of IFBB and General Secretary of
the Asia Bodybuilding Federation Mr Paul Chua approached me about the
possibility of holding a World Championship. I replied without hesitation
that it would be indeed a great honour for our national Bodybuilding
Federation and for the country as well. I would therefore like to take this
opportunity to again express our sincere appreciation to the Asia
Bodybuilding Federation and the General Secretary Mr Paul Chua for all the
encouragement and support to our country.

I wish also to express our heartfelt thanks to the International Federation
of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and its President Dr Ben Weider in particular for
having confidence in our country and in our sports federation to organize
this auspicious event. Allow me to assure you that we have undertaken every
effort to make the championships a success. The holding of a World
Bodybuilding Championships is of great significance to all sport loving
people, especially to bodybuilders all over the world.

 It assembles the youths of the nations to compete not only for physical
excellence of strong bodies but also to foster international brotherhood and
fraternity among the nations. It is our belief that even as the contestants
compete with each other, they will also be able to build lasting friendships.
Moreover, to the sportsmen from developing nations like Myanmar, it also
affords a golden opportunity to exchange views and experiences with their
brothers from more advanced sports nations, thus gaining new techniques and
methods.

We in Myanmar have always accorded priority to the development of body and
mind of the people. It is in this spirit that the Government has identified
the upgrading of health standards as a social objective of the nation. In
promoting health standards, due importance is paid to uplifting level of
sports including mass and competitive sports. It is our view that sports also
contribute to strengthening of individual character by developing discipline,
perseverance, endurance, team spirit and sportsmanship. Moreover, the holding
of national and international championships

 will surely serve to promote physical and mental strength of youth and equip
them better to meet the challenges of life. Our Government is committed to
raising the sport standards of the nation. Towards this end, a National
Olympic Council and Olympic Committee have been formed to provide overall
policy guidance while a separate Ministry of Sports gives close supervision
to the development of sports in Myanmar.

Consequently, there has been a general rise in the standards of sports in
Myanmar and the successes attained in regional and international sports meets
bear witness to the improved performances of Myanmar sportsmen and
sportswomen. In the sphere of bodybuilding, Myanmar is able to produce many
prominent bodybuilders who have made their mark in regional and international
contests. The holding of the Second Southeast Asia Bodybuilding Championship
in Myanmar in 1999 testifies to the emergence of Myanmar as a powerhouse in
bodybuilding.

 I wish to congratulate the Myanmar Bodybuilding Federation for the excellent
work in raising the standards of bodybuilding in the nation. As the host
country for the present Championships, we are very happy to have
representatives from so many nations in the world with us today. Although
your stay in our country is very brief, it is our hope that you will be able
to enjoy the beauty of our golden land, the world-renown hospitality of our
people as well as our rich culture and customs.

 In conclusion, may I take this opportunity to wish the 55th World Amateur
Men's Bodybuilding Championships every success and all the contestants the
best of luck. Then, the Secretary-1 presented an honorary award of Myanmar
National Olympic Council to Vice-President of the IFBB for Asia and
General-Secretary of ABBF Mr Paul Chua. Mr Paul Chua made a speech. Minister
for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint formally opened the finals of the 55th
World Amateur Men's Bodybuilding Championships. Executive Assistant to the
President and Chairman of the Judges Committee Mr Rafael Santonja presented
the service award of IFBB to the Secretary-1.

Mr Paul Chua presented gold order awards of IFBB to Minister Brig-Gen Thura
Aye Myint and Mayor U Ko Lay. Mr Paul Chua introduced contestants to the
Secretary-1. The employees of the Fine Arts Department presented cultural
dances. At the Flyweight (60 kilo) Category, Pham Van Mach of Vietnam, Aung
Naing of Myanmar and Tun Tun Aung of Myanmar stood first, second and third
respectively. The Secretary-1 and Mayor U Ko Lay presented prizes and
certificates of honour to the winners respectively.

 The Secretary-1, together with the six contestants, posed for photos. At the
Bantamweight (65 kilo) Category, Jose Carlos Santos of Brazil, Anwar Ahmed El
Amawy of Egypt and In Chai of the Republic of Korea emerged first, second and
third respectively. The Secretary-1 and Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint
presented prizes and certificates of honour to the winners respectively. The
Secretary-1, together with the six contestants, posed for photos. At the
Lightweight (70 kilo) Category, Igor Kocis of Slovakia, Yossri Sayed of Egypt
and Dong Ki Han of the Republic of Korea stood first, second and third
respectively. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Mr Rafael Santonja
presented prizes and certificates of honour to the bodybuilders.

 Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, together with the six contestants, posed
for photos. At the Welterweight (75 kilo) Category, Fakhrudinov Tagir of
Azerbaijan, Pavlo Milos of Czech Republic and Zaw Thein Naing of Myanmar
emerged first, second and third respectively. Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein
Sein and Col Myint Aung presented prizes and certificates of honour to the
bodybuilders. Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, together with the six
contestants, posed for photos.

 At the Middleweight (80 kilo) Category, Serguei Dimitriev of Russia, Pavlos
Mentis of Greece and Frank Schramm of Germany stood first, second and third
respectively. Minister for Co-operatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and the
vice-president of IFBB for Lebanon presented prizes and certificates of
honour respectively to them. Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, together with the six
contestants, posed for photos. At the Light Heavyweight (- 90 kilo) Category,
Thomas Scheu of Germany, Brzozka Pawel of Poland and Pavel Ershov of Russia
stood first, second and third respectively.  Minister for Foreign Affairs U
Win Aung and Vice-president of Asian Bodybuilding Federation Mr Mergaliev
Bulat presented prizes and certificates respectively. Minister U Win Aung,
together with the six contestants, posed for photos.

 At the Heavyweight (+90 kilo) Category, Oleg Makchatsev of Russia, Piotr
Gluchowski of Poland and Mariusz Strzelinski of Czech Republic stood first,
second and third respectively. Minister for Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and the president of the Medical Commission
presented prizes and certificates of honour respectively. Minister Brig-Gen
Thein Zaw, together with the six contestants, posed for photos. Mr Rafel
Santonji presented Most Improved Bodybuilder prize to Aung Naing of Myanmar
(Flyweight). Col Myint Aung and Mr Rafael Santonji presented the first,
second and third best national team prizes to Russia, the Republic of Korea
and Egypt respectively.

Col Myint Aung handed over the IFBB Flag to the delegate of Egypt, where the
World Bodybuilding Championships will be held next year. Mr Paul Chua
presented the first, second and third overall champion prizes to Oleg
Makchatsev of Russia (Heavyweight), Thomas Scheu of Germany (Light
Heavyweight) and Fakhrudinov Tagir of Azerbaijan (Welterweight) respectively.
Then, the ceremony came to a close.
___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends cash presentation ceremony for construction of
Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

Yangon, 25 Nov-A ceremony to present cash for construction of Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image was held at Gandhakuti Kyaungdawgyi on Mindham-ma
Hill in Insein Township this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of
the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, members
of the Committee for Construction of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image
and wellwishers. The Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance to the Lawka
Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image.

 The Secretary-1 accepted K 2.5 million each donated by staff of the Ministry
of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs and the Ministry of Livestock and
Fisheries and the Ministry of Health and K 2 million each by U Maung Maung
and brothers (Great Wall embrocation production) and U Zaw Win (AryonOo
Construction) and Daw Khin Khin Htay and family.

Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin accepted K 10,740,000 donated by
disciples of Letkhattaung Sayadaw, K 1 million each by U Thein Oo (Thitsa
Pankhin Enterprise) and Daw Khin Khin Sein, Col Zaw Win Myint, Lt-Col Yin Yin
Zaw and family, Chanttet Htan Buddhist Missionary Temple in Kamayut Township
and wellwishers and K 1.8 million by Daw Thet Thet Aung and son Maung Aung
Sit Thway.

Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone accepted K 800,000 each by Daw Hla Yin and
family and U Khway-Daw Khin Si and family, K 700,000 by Daw Khin May Thet and
K 500,000 each by U Ohn Hlaing-Daw Khin Mar Kyi, U Khin Maung and family and
Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon. Minister for Information
Maj-Gen Kyi Aung accepted K 500,000 donated by Daw Ngwe Yon and family, K
340,000 U Thein Aung and U Myint Aung Ko and family, K 300,000 by Daw Sein Yi
and son U Aung Moe Kyaw and family, K 250,000 each by Headmaster U Kyaw Kyaw
and students of No 1 Basic Education High School in Dagon Township, Daw Than
Paw Tip, Dr San Lwin and Lecturer Daw Myint Than (Retd) and family and U Chit
Han and Daw Aye Aye Myint.

Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint accepted K 250,000 each by U Aung Kyaw Oo-Daw Nan
San Huan Sai, sons and daughters of U Myint Swe and Daw Nan San Hmu and U Ye
Tun and Daw Theingi Min. Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein accepted K
985,600 by wellwishers. Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw accepted K 100,000 each
by U Than Naing-Daw Kyu Kyu Swe of Thamada Robe Shop, Deputy Minister for
Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein-Daw Tin Tin Nwe, Daw Nan Thida and daughters,
Daw Myint Yi, U Chit Thwe, Daw Thaung Yi of Kyaikwaing, U Khin Maung Hla-Daw
Khin Kyi and U Mya Aung-Daw Aye Aye Soe. Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi accepted K
100,000 each donated by U Maung Maung Aye-Daw Aye Zin Soe, Insein Township
Peace and Development Council, Daw Sein Yin and family and U Maung Maung
Nyunt and Daw Khin Myat Nwe.

 Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein accepted K 100,000 each by Yangon City Bank, Daw
Khin Myat Thu and family and U Mya Than-Daw Yin Yin May and 116 US dollars,
110 FECs and K 18,016,578 donated by the public from 22 September to 23
November.

 Today's donations were 116 US dollars, 110 FECs, articles worth K 14,040,000
and K 50,592,178. Chairman of the Committee for Construction of Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura
Aung Ko reported on progress of work. Chairman of the Finance Committee
Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa reported on matters related to donations. The
Secretary-1 said all-round construction work of the Lawka Chantha Abhaya
Labha Muni Image is being undertaken with the use of the contributions of the
people.

The power of the image has manifested itself since it was conveyed from
Sakyintaung in Madaya Township, he said. On account of the glory of the
Image, it can be said that a white elephant emerged in Myanmar. Emergence of
the white elephant is a good omen for peace and prosperity of Myanmar, he
said. He expressed his belief that such donations for construction of the
Image could bring about prosperity. Construction of the Glass-walled Hall
will soon be completed, and the Image will become more graceful and serene,
he said. The Secretary-1 wished all the wellwishers prosperity.

 The Secretary-1 paid obeisance to the relics conveyed from Sri Lanka and
inspected construction of the Image. Construction of the Glass-walled Hall is
40 per cent; complete the carving of the Pada footprint by 100 per cent;
construction of the Pada footprint hall and decoration of Myanmar artistic
works 70 per cent. Four lion statues which are 36 feet high each and situated
in northern and southern stairways and two stairs are 75 per cent complete.
Construction of northern and southern stairways and Gandhakuti Kyaungdawgyi
is nearly finished and the laying of granite slabs is under way in the
Kyaungdawgyi.
___________________________

( 3 ) Leading Committee for Organizing Second Traditional Medicine
Practitioners Conference meets

Yangon, 25 Nov -The Leading Committee for Organizing the Second Traditional
Medicine Practitioners Conference held a meeting in the meeting hall of the
National Health Committee of the Ministry of Health at 11 am today. Patron of
the Leading Committee Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt addressed the
meeting.

 Also present were the ministers, the Mayor of Yangon, the deputy ministers,
officials of the State Peace and Development Council office, members of the
Leading Committee, heads of department and guests. The Secretary-1 said that
the First Traditional Medicine Practitioners Conference was successfully held
in December in 2000 in conjunction with the Exhibition on Traditional
Medicines and Medical Equipment.

He expressed his belief that the second conference can be held more
successfully on the basis of the experience gained from the holding of the
first conference. It is necessary to see to it that all the traditional
medicine practitioners attend the second conference; papers are submitted
systematically; potent traditional medicines and methods are made known to
all. Arrangements are to be made to enable traditional medicine practitioners
to have open discussions at the second conference with the aim of keeping in
perpetuity efficacious traditional medicines handed down by successive
generations.

In conjunction with the second conference, the second exhibition on
traditional medicines and medical equipment will be held, and efforts are to
be exerted so that the second conference and the second exhibition can be
held successfully. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given the
guidance to produce potent medicines for curing six diseases which are common
in Myanmar and giving effective treatment to the public.

It is believed that the second conference will be able to implement the
guidance of the Head of State. The focus of the second conference is to be on
systematically developing traditional medicine in accord with the aspirations
and guidance of the Head of State, standardizing efficacious traditional
medicines, providing treatment for the diseases which are common in Myanmar,
encouraging the public to go in for traditional medicine, and enhancing the
role and dignity of traditional medicine practitioners and traditional
medicines.

 Chairman of the Leading Committee Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein
reported on matters related to the holding of the second conference and the
second exhibition. Secretary of the Leading Committee Deputy Minister for
Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint reported on arrangements for the holding of
the second conference and the second exhibition and for the opening of the
university of traditional medicine.

Then, the Secretary-1 said that in the light of the reports presented today,
it is believed that the second conference can be held successfully like the
first conference. It is found that after the first conference was held, the
role of the traditional medicine has become significantly higher. It is also
found that as the government has given encouragement, Myanma traditional
medicine has become more and more popular and the people place more reliance
on it.

In producing traditional medicines, modern methods and equipment are being
used, so the standard of production work is improving. The holding of the
traditional medicine practitioners conference and the exhibition on
traditional medicines and medical equipment and the arrangements for the
opening of the university of traditional medicine are efforts made in the
time of the present government, which are to be put on record. In conclusion,
the Secretary-1 called on all to make concerted efforts for the successful
holding of the second conference.
__________________________

( 4 )   Secretary-1 gives instructions on construction of white
elephant-house

 Yangon, 25 Nov-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt this morning gave instructions to officials on construction of a
house for Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza White Elephant which will be kept
in the white elephant garden, south of Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by the ministers, the deputy
ministers and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office,
arrived at the white elephant shed (temporary) at 10 am this morning.

The Secretary-1 was welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik
Tun, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and departmental officials. First,
the Secretary-1 and party viewed the white elephant. At the office of the
work site, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge and Chief
Engineer U Aung Kyee Myint of Public Works reported to the Secretary-1 on
preparation for construction of the elephant house with the use of charts,
Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun on taking care of the elephant and
building the white elephant garden and Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa on preparation
of food for the white elephant.

 Officials concerned also took part in the discussions. Concerning the
reports, the Secretary-1 gave instructions and fulfilled the requirements.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 inspected the land preparation for the
construction of the white elephant-house. The Secretary-1 left there later in
the morning.
__________________________

to be continued ...