THE Fifth National Sports Festival 2024 will be a national-lev­el sports activity on a grand scale from 9 to 20 December but some sports are in progress. Sports contingents from relevant teams representing ministries, regions and states have arrived in Nay Pyi Taw to continue their training with diligence and industriousness, holding the flags to ensure success.

Sports teams and athletes bound for the National Sports Fes­tival have achieved success in sports competitions in regions and states as well as at ministries. Now, they have decided to par­ticipate in the National Sports Festival to improve the sports standards of the country as much as possible.

The sports festival will comprise 23 sports events in which some 12,000 athletes will compete with the sport­ing spirit. Those athletes have adopted the determination to take part in sports events with utmost efforts to be able to bring prestige to relevant min­istries, regions and states, to promote the moral strength of the entire people through sports and to uplift the pres­tige and integrity of the State and people through sports successes.

In its history, the first Na­tional Sports Festival hosted 22 sports events with the par­ticipation of more than 10,000 athletes from 72 teams, the second festival 24 events with more than 8,700 athletes from 40 teams, the third one 29 events with more than 11,000 athletes from 55 teams and the fourth 27 events with more than 4,300 athletes from 15 teams, respectively.

The fifth festival attracts the largest number of athletes due to the encouragement of relevant authorities and sports fans. Hence, arrangements have been made for sports fans at home and abroad to be able to watch sports competitions on TV channels. The government, indeed, has spent a large sum of money on holding the sports festival for the sake of new generation youths and athletes.

The sports festival serves as a competitive platform for athletes to showcase their skills and talents in various competitions. As a result, they have the opportunity to be selected as national athletes to represent Myanmar in international sports events. Achieving success in these competitions will not only elevate the prestige of the nation but also enhance the athletes’ accomplishments. These victories will mark significant milestones for both the individuals and the nation. Therefore, it is essential for athletes and the entire community to actively collaborate in ensuring the success of the National Sports Festival, bringing honour to the sports teams and pride to the State.