Continental playground - ASIAD 16

Vietnam has set itself an ambitious target at the 16^th ASIAD Games, which will take place in Guangzhou, China, in November 2010.

Vietnam’s excellent performances at the 3^rd Asian Indoor Games and the 25^th SEA Games brought a great deal of pride for local sports fans and supporters who showed their confidence in the country’s further successes in upcoming sports events across the continent.

Sports-lovers have pinned their hopes on the country’s performance in numerous events at ASIAD and the Olympic games, including track-and-field events, swimming, shooting, judo, taekwondo, karate, and billiards & snooker. According to Vu Ngoc Anh, deputy head of the High-Achievement Sports Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, if Vietnamese athletes maintain their current training programmes, they could take the lead at ASIAD 16.

Vietnam registered for 17 out of a total of 25 events at the 25^th SEA Games, which were held in Laos in December 2009. It won 83 gold medals, coming second after Thailand (86).

The High-Achievement Sports Department liaised with sports federations, national sports unions and coaching boards to make detailed plans for future investment, coaching and competitions. Vietnam will prepare thoroughly for athletes to compete at regional and international events, particularly in the qualifying rounds for the next Olympics games. The country will also invest more in upgrading its training facilities and procure better medical support for athletes prior to the forthcoming ASIDAD 16 in China.

Vietnam aims to win more than four gold medals in the ASIAD 16, higher than in the previous games. There are many outstanding athletes who have performed well at continental events, such as Vu Thi Huong and Truong Thanh Hang (track-and-field), Duong Anh Vu and Dang Dinh Tien (billiards & snooker) and others in shooting and boxing events. Furthermore, the country also hopes to take home medals from several martial arts events.

However, with some positive results recorded in 2009, Vietnam’s sports sector is expected to raise its global standing in the future by winning more gold medals in a series of events.

Home playground - National Sports Festival

The 2010 National Sports Festival, scheduled to take place in central Da Nang city, will be a major event for Vietnamese athletes in their backyard. Local authorities have invested large amounts of money in training athletes and upgrading sports facilities to achieve better results than in previous festivals. The event will provide a good opportunity for athletes in every province and city nationwide to show their talent and claim victory through some tough competitions.