Myanmar hosted the 10th ASEAN Quiz-Regional Level at MICC-II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Myanmar team stood first, Malaysia won second and Laos won third prizes in the competition.
The ASEAM Quiz was held on rotation by ASEAN member states every two years since 2002 with the aim of contributing to the spirit of healthy competition among ASEAN youths.
Thailand hosted the competition in 2002, Brunei in 2004, Malaysia in 2006, the Philippines in 2009, Cambodia in 2012, Viet Nam in 2014, Lao PDR in 2016, Indonesia in 2018 and Singapore in 2020.
Myanmar hosted this year’s event and selected the students between the age of 15 and 18 who won the first, second and third prizes in district, regional and state, and national level competitions to participate in the ASEAN Quiz-Regional Level.
The opening ceremony took place in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning and was attended by State Administration Council member Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Ministers U Ko Ko Hlaing, U Maung Maung Ohn, Dr Nyunt Pe, Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, Dr Thet Khaing Win, U Min Thein Zan, Dr Thet Thet Khine, deputy ministers, departmental heads, students from ASEAN, supervisors, coaches, judges, teachers, students from schools in Nay Pyi Taw and guests. Contestants from Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand participated in the event online.
The event was inaugurated with ASEAN Anthem and the indigenous nationals from MRTV entertained with the song “Welcome to the 10th ASEAN Quiz”.
Then, SAC Member MoHA Union Minister pressed the electric button to launch the 10th ASEAN Quiz-Regional Level.
In his opening speech, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn said Myanmar is very proud for holding the 10th ASEAN Quiz-Reginal Level as a host country. The current ASEAN Quiz project is one of the priorities of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information and has been held every two years since 2002. The project can be said to be part and parcel of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Information.
The ASEAN Quiz is a competition on knowledge of ASEAN and it also promotes the spirit of healthy competition among ASEAN youths by holding a friendly quiz on ASEAN cultural, political, economic and social developments in the Region.
The intention of the ASEAN Quiz is to foster the spirit of healthy competition among the ASEAN youth in a friendly quiz to promote knowledge and understanding of the vision, roles and functions of ASEAN, particularly for sustainable development of regional peace, solidarity, and prosperity while fostering friendship among the ASEAN youth and sharing knowledge among the peoples of the ASEAN.
The host countries from the 1st to 8th events invited the ASEAN students to the in-person events and the format of the event was changed into an online event hosted by Singapore in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Currently, Myanmar hosts the competition in a Hybrid system in accordance with the COVID-19 health rules.
The representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam join the event in person and those from Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand join online.
Myanmar hosts this year’s ASEAN Quiz under the theme of “ASEAN: A Community of Peace, Prosperity and Sustainability”.
The country chose this theme to reflect the motto of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
After the performance of artistes from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, officials presented gifts to judges, supervisors, contestants and senior officials of the ASEAN Secretary-General Office and took commemorative photos.
Then, MRTV staff performed the song “Mingalaba ASEAN”.
Judge Daw Htay Htay Swe first explained the marking scheme and method for the competition and launched the event.
The ASEAN Quiz (Regional Level) was held under four categories – Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank, True or False and Mixed Questions regarding the knowledge of the ASEAN Political and Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Culture Community.
After the performance of the respective ministry staff, Union Ministers presented first, second and third prizes to the winners and took documentary photos.
At noon, the ASEAN students and their supervisors visited the Gem Museum and National Museum in Nay Pyi Taw.
The dinner was served at Park Royal Hotel and Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn expressed thanks to the participants and supervisors and gave certificates to each of the 18 contestants.
At the dinner, the modern music band of MRTV entertained with songs and the attendees also joined the performance by singing.
Then, Daw Khin Swe Win, wife of Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn, drew lots for Myanmar traditional food to give to the participants as presents. — MNA/KTZH
