Official appreciates Vietnam’s achievement at SEA Games

Lam Quang Thanh, head of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 27th SEA Games, which wrapped up in Myanmar on December 22, has spoken highly of the team’s achievement at the event.

With 73 gold (three more than the set target), Vietnam ranked third in the medal tally after Thailand , which secured 107 golds, and host Myanmar with 86 golds.

According to Thanh, some of the sports, which were of Vietnam ’s strength, such as gymnastics and fencing, were excluded in this Games, causing difficulties to the team.

Referees’ unfair decisions were also another reason limiting the chances for Vietnamese athletes to win gold medals in martial arts, he said.

The most difficulty, in his opinion, was the athletes’ injuries before and during the event.

The official further said after SEA Games 27, the athletes will continue with their training in preparation for the 14th Asian Games, ASIAD 14, in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, next year.

After 11 official days of competition, the 27th SEA Games closed in Nay Pyi Taw, marking an end of a prestigious tournament for which athletes spent two years in training.

Addressing the ceremony, Tint San, Union Minister of Sports, said: "During the Games, athletes have won medals by showing strong determination, great courage and true sportsmanship. Although the religions, cultures and traditions are different for each country, all the athletes have participated to create several proud moments for the games and show the power of sports to unite people."

"The SEA Games also provided clear evidence of the tremendous spirit of friendship and unity among ASEAN member countries. I am convinced that, in the near future, with the help of the close and deep relations among members, the sports sector and its standards will improve rapidly across the region," he noted.

The 28th SEA Games, which will have 30 sports, is scheduled to be held in the summer of 2015, from June 5-16, in Singapore.-   

U19 Vietnam prepare for Asian champs

Vietnam’s U19 football team will play with their peers from Japan, the UK and Italy at a U19 International Football Tournament in preparation for their competition at the upcoming Asian Championships.

The guest teams are Japan’s U-19 team, Tottenham FC and AS Roma FC. The tournament will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from January 6-10, 2014.

On December 27, the U19 Vietnam will play a friendship match with Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) FC to sharpen their skills for the tournament.

The squad won the silver medal at the ASEAN Under-19 Football Championships in September, 2013.

The Asian Under-19 Football Championships will be held in Myanmar in 2014.