Vietnam wants to broaden its sporting collaboration with other nations and views sport as an impetus to national development and friendship between countries.

The view came from a working session between Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke in Hanoi on December 6.

At the event, Lemke expressed his wish for better understanding on the role of sports in Vietnam , especially gender equality and sports for people with disabilities, with the further aim of enhancing a culture of tolerance and peace between nations around the world.

The two sides agreed that sports play an important role in promoting gender equality and disabled people’s integration into the community.

Deputy Minister Bien said he hopes that the guest will serve as a bridge to help Vietnam strengthen its sports collaboration with the world.

He added that Vietnam backs the UN Office on Sport Development and Peace (UNOSDP) Youth Leadership Programme to be held in the Republic of Korea next year. The programme looks to encourage young people all over the world to contribute their knowledge to the development of the community.

As part of his trip to Vietnam, Lemke will evaluate a project called “ Vietnam community - focused football” in the northern city of Hai Phong .

The project, implemented in Do Son district of Hai Phong and all localities of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, aims to stimulate children aged between 6 and 15 to join in a non-competitive football movement.-VNA