Tatmadaw teams taking part in International Army Games-2018 in Russian Federation for the first time

A medic team competing in the contest.

Photo shows the attendees at the International Army Games-2018.

The contest is in progress.

The Tank Biathlon tank driving and firing contest is in progress.

Nay Pyi Taw August 9

At the invitation of Minister of Defence of Russian Federation Army General Sergei Shoigu, a tank team, a medic team and a marksman team of the Myanmar Tatmadaw are taking part in the International Army Games-2018 being held in Russian Federation from 28 July to 11 August. A cultural team of the Tatmadaw is also participating in the related competition.

The aim of holding the International Army Games-2018 is for technical cooperation, cooperation in global affairs and promoting friend-ship among the military organizations. In the past Russia held the Army Games annually. But since 2015, the country has been inviting the participation of military teams from other countries. This year, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China are hosting the respective categories of the Army Games-2018 totalling 28 different types of contests with the participation of 33 countries. Myanmar, Algeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sudan and the Philippines are taking part in the Games for the first time.

The Tatmadaw tank team with 21 members took part in the Tank Biathlon tank driving and firing contest and stood 16th among the 22 contesting teams. The Tank Biathlon is being held from 28 July to 11 August. Only the teams that stood from first to 11th in the country-wise contest will be able to take part in the relay race.

The 17-member Tatmadaw medic team comprising medics, nurses and drivers competed in the Pistol and AK74 automatic rifle contest, men/women’s individual ability contest, men/women’s special ability contest, vehicle driving contest, emergency hospital contest for male/female medics and men/women’s team-wise ability contest totaling ten contests. The Tatmadaw team stood sixth in the contest. Ten teams from nine countries participated in the contest held from 30 July to 9 August. In the men’s medic/women’s emergency hospital contest, male medic Lieutenant Min Myint Kyaw Zaw from the Myanmar Tatmadaw medic corps stood fourth and female medic Lieutenant Pway Mon Myo stood fifth.The nine-member Myanmar marksman team participated in the marksmanship contest holding from 29 July to 11 August. A total of 18 countries participated in three matches of the contest. In match-1 Myanmar stood eleventh. The teams that stood first to eighth will reach match-2 and the teams that stand first to fourth will reach match-3.

As related events of International Army Games-2018, Creative Competition, House of Friendship and Tea Ceremony will be held from 1 to 12 August. Two members of the Myanmar Tatmadaw cultural team participated in Creative Competition with three matches. Six participating countries have to contest with their traditional musical instruments, songs and dances. The Myanmar team has to contest in match-1 with the song titled Thet Wai to the accompaniment of Myanmar traditional harp and a dance of U Shwe Yo and Daw Moe, in match-2 with a couple dance and the song titled an urban man and a jungle woman and in match-3 with the song titled Myanmar spirit, Myanmar scenery to the accompaniment of traditional harp and Karkyusha Russian song. After match-1, Myanmar stood second.

Myanmar Tatmadaw teams enthusiastically participated in the respective contests. Despite the first-time participation, Myanmar was able to achieve a fairly good result, share sporting and technological experiences with international military organizations and strengthen the relations.

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