The 18th National Para Games opened in HCM City on June 14, bringing together more than 1,000 athletes and coaches across the country.

The 18th National Para Games opened in HCM City on June 14, bringing together more than 1,000 athletes and coaches across the country. 

The athletes will compete in nine sports – track and field, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, badminton, chess, boccia, football and tennis – for 700 sets of medals.

The National Youth Para Games is also underway on the sidelines of the event with athletes competing in track and field, swimming and chess.

The 18th National Paragames will prepare athletes for the 9th ASEAN Para Games and the 2017 Asian Youth Para Games.

At the event’s opening ceremony, nine outstanding athletes and coaches were awarded the President’s Order of Labour, Third Class, while nine others received the Prime Minister’s Certificate of Merit for their excellent performance at the 8th ASEAN Para Games.

The event will run through June 20.

VNA