Following Savannakhet province's successful hosting of the fourth National Student Games this month, Champassak province has vowed it will be ready to hold the fifth games in 2014.

The fourth games wrapped up on Saturday with the closing ceremony at Savannakhet's main provincial stadium.

At the ceremony, President of the National Student Games Organising Committee and Minister of Education Dr Phankham Viphavanh presented a sports flag to Deputy Governor of Champassak province Dr Bounthong Divixay to symbolise the end of Savannakhet's hosting duties

Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, Governor of Savannakhet province Vilayvanh Phomkhe and senior officials from the Ministry of Education and host province also attended the ceremony .

The games held from April 1-9 comprised football, sepak takraw, volleyball and beach volleyball, petanque, basketball, taekwondo, top spinning, crossbow, badminton, table tennis, and track and field.

Dr Phankham expressed his admiration for the trainers and students from around the country who took part in the games, which he said were the most successful yet.

More than 2,600 students, trainers, and officials from 16 provinces attended the games.

Dr Phankham said the students had respected the rules of the games by taking part in high spirits, accepting both their wins and losses, and showing mutual appreciation for one another.

He said the students gained strength of heart from competing and established friendly relations among each other in line with the games' aim of developing human resources.

Many athletes were able to break records in 13 track and field events that were set at the third National Student Games in Luang Prabang province in 2007.

Dr Phankam explained that three talented athletes were selected from each event to receive extra support in the future.

Four students from Vientiane and Savannakhet province succeeded in claiming three gold medals each in track and field events.

Dr Bounthong said Champassak province is honoured to be hosting the next student games in three years time.

He said provincial authorities will do all they can to ensure the games promote friendly relations and good health, as well as an anti-drug message.