OUDOM Sengsirivanh, a great sportsman in the history of Lao football,
played professonally in Hong Kong from 1973 to 1975.He started to play
football when he was 12 years old with the modest dream of becoming a
good footballer. At the age of 16, he had played for the National
Junior Football team and from then on he became wellknown among
football fans playing as a mid-fielder. When he was 25, he was
recommended to play professonal football in Hong Kong because of his
talent in the eyes of a Hong Kong coach who trained the players in
Vientiane. He was employed for US$ 500, received US$ 20 for a win, and
US$ 10 for a draw, including the cost of accommodation. At that time
Oudom and his two friends named Konekham Laskun and Vathana
Outhenesakda played for Kwong Wah Club together, and were popular with
the local fans. He explained that during his two years as a footballer
with Kwong Wah Club in Hong Kong, he trained hard and gained the grit
and determination needed to play professional football at an
international level. Until 1975, he returned to his home-town in
Vientiane with the hope of playing for the national team.
Unfortunately, the three Lao players left the Kwong Wah Club to the
despair of fans and fellow players because of the Indochina war. The
three were concerned about the safety of their families and the
serious situation in Laos at that time. Mr Yeap Kwok-hung a senior
official of Kwong Wah Club told the South China Morning Post on May
13, 1975, "We are all very sorry that the three Lao players must leave
in these circumstances and we can only hope they will be able to
return."
Kwong Wah vice-captain John Mc Gunnigle said, "we were stunned when
the club told us that our friends have to go back. Three of them are
dedicated footballers and have played well here, we do hope they come
back." Oudom,51, now lives in Vientiane with his family and backs the
football scene. He runs a construction company. When football in the
past is compared to the present, he says, the present is better in
terms of technology and other facilities, but there is a lot of
temptation among current players. The players of past eras played with
enthusiasm and spirit, and they did not ask for much in return, even
in the face of adversity. Oudom has a rather more critical
view of current footballers. "The present era's players lack the self
discipline needed to become truly great footballers," he says. Oudom
always sees the new generation of footballers drinking beer and
wasting
their time. The new players like the ones described by Oudom seem to
have no destination. There is no emphasis on how they should lead
themselves to the top. Perhaps this is why the national team is not at
the top of its form. "During my course in the Kwong Wah Club, my
skills and tactics were no better than my companions in the team but
we played and trained according to very strict principles," he added.
Oudom thought of the game before anything else. In terms of technique
and skills, the old players were not better than the new. The
difference was the ‘soul' the old players had for football. Oudom
confirmed that he played football with a positive spirit and hoped to
make himself famous in the Lao football scene.Despite resigning from
the football scene, Oudom is regularly called on as a consultant for
the National Football Federation and to teach his experiences to the
new generation who play for the national team. He says that if all
football clubs in Laos are not able to establish at least two or three
substitute teams, then the Lao team will continue to be an easy
competitor for its rivals. No one in the Lao football scene knows when
Lao players will be employed to play overseas as Oudom did in the
past.The good answer may come from the persons who work with Lao
football. Vientiane Mai reporters very much wish to see the Lao
players of the next generation being able to play professonal football
overseas.

Highlights of Oudom's football career
1968 : Playing in the first King's Cup
in Thailand.
1969 : Playing in the second King's
Cup in Thailand.
1970 : Playing in the junior league
Singapore.
1971 : Playing in the Junior Cup in
Philiphines.
1972 : Playing in the Independence
Cup in Indonesia.
1973-75: Playing for Wkong Wah
Hong Kong.
1975-89: Playing for the Lao People's
Army Sport Club.