NAY PYI TAW, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- About 12,000 athletes from across Myanmar are competing at the country's fifth National Sports Festival which kicked off on Monday.

This year's festival features six events for government ministries, 23 events for regions and states, and four events for athletes with disabilities.

Thiri Shwe Sin, a 13-year-old member of Magway Region's women's sepak takraw team, shared her excitement about her first national sports event.

"I see many people better than me. When I grow older, I want to be a sports coach," she said.

U Htet Zaw, coach of Mandalay Region's men's sepak takraw team, noted that the festival serves as a platform to identify promising athletes for international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games.

The festival aimed to prepare the athletes for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and other international competitions while encouraging public interest and participation in sports.

Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, said it also aimed to elevate the country's sports standards, develop elite athletes, nurture promising young talents, and strengthen friendship among states, regions and ministries.

The inaugural edition of Myanmar's National Sports Festival was held in Yangon in 1992. It was later held in Yangon in 1994 and 1997, and in Nay Pyi Taw in 2015.

This year's festival, featuring the largest-ever number of athletes and events, runs until Dec. 20. Enditem

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