The South East Asian weightlifting competition is set to take place this June in Ayutthaya province, with about 100 weightlifters expected to compete at the international venue, according to the TAWA General Secretary.

Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) General Secretary ACM Jirasak Poowanartnurak has revealed that the association will be organising the South East Asian weightlifting competition during June 26-28 at the Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi in Ayutthaya province, 76km north of Bangkok.

He has said that the competition is being organized as a stand alone event, due to the fact that weightlifting will not be included as one of the official competitive categories in the upcoming 28th SEA Games set to take place in Singapore during 5-16 June 2015.

TAWA has decided to host this event in order to maintain the status of weightlifting as a competitive sport.

Approximately 100 athletes from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and the Philippines have confirmed that they will compete at the event.

The TAWA General Secretary has mentioned that the first South East Asian weightlifting competition will be the stage for weightlifters in the ASEAN region to improve their capabilities, and to enhance friendships between international athletes and staff, prior to the integration of the ASEAN Community at end of this year.-VNA