Vietnam pushes forward preparation for Asian Beach Games hinh anh 1Countdown clock started in the city from September 29. (Source: VNA)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently asked the central coastal city of Da Nang to map out its plan for the fifth Asian Beach Games (ABG 5), to be held there from September 24 to October 3 next year.

Accordingly, the city will work with technical and financial sectors to arrange venues and training areas. It will also push forward with infrastructure preparation, including upgrading and levelling off the grounds; and installing mobile stages, a lighting system, a power supply system and a security fence.

The city was also asked to work with the information and technology sector to lay out the project and estimate the cost of urban decor.

In addition, accommodations for officials, referees, coaches, athletes and guests must be prepared meticulously to meet the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)’s requirements while keeping prices low.

Cost estimates for the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and other cultural and tourism activities during the event must be discussed by the city and relevant units of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The ABG 5 will host events in marathon swimming, water polo, kabaddi, men's beach football, volleyball, handball, three-a-side basketball, sepak takraw (rattan-ball kicking), beach martial arts (wrestling, sambo, jujitsu, kurash, pencak silat, vovinam, muay Thai and Vietnamese traditional martial arts), shuttlecock kicking, petanque (iron ball bowling), bodybuilding, bowles (wooden ball), rowing and athletics.

This will be Vietnam’s first time hosting the Games, a multi-sport Asian-level competition. It has already hosted the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2009 and the ASEAN-level competition in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games.-VNA
VNA