Sport authorities vow to help athletes do best at SEA Games 29

The Vietnam Sports Administration, the Vietnam Olympic Committee and relevant ministries and branches will create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese athletes to gain impressive achievements at the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, slated for August 19-30 in Malaysia.

At the press conference. The sport authorities will create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese athletes to gain impressive achievements at the 29th SEA Games (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Head of the Vietnam Sports Administration and Head of Vietnamese delegation to the 29th SEA Games Tran Duc Phan made the promise at a press conference held in Hanoi on July 14.

Vietnamese athletes will compete in 32 out of 38 sports at the Games, Phan said, adding that a ceremony to send off the delegation will be held on August 8.

According to Phan, it will be more difficult for Vietnamese athletes to win medals at the 29th SEA Games, as many sports which are of Vietnam’s strengths are not included in the competition this year, such as wrestling, rowing or canoeing.

However, Vietnamese team still sets the target to be among the top group at the games, he said.

In the recent past, the Vietnam Sports Administration has focused on training for potential medal-winning athletes, with priority given to sports featured in the Olympic Games and Asian Games. The sport sector has also paid heed to providing the athletes with rational nutrition, sufficient healthcare, equipment and sport costumes.

Phan also said that besides competing, the delegation will introduce Vietnamese people and culture to regional friends.

At the 28th Games in Singapore two years ago, Vietnam finished third with 73 gold medals, after Thailand with 95 golds and the hosts with 84 golds.

(Source: VNA)