Vienamese athletes at a sports event (Source: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Government has agreed with theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST)’s proposal to organise the 31stSoutheast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and the 11th ASEAN Para Games (Para Games11) in Vietnam in 2021.
At a meeting in the capital on July 9, the Cabinet assignedHanoi as the site city, which successfully hosted SEA Games 22 in 2003, theAsian Indoor Games in 2009, and several other big international sports events.
The ministry’s proposal was made after the SEA GamesFederation (SEAGF) informed Vietnam that it would hand over the right to hostSEA Games 31 to the country.
The federation said Cambodia, scheduled to host SEA Games31, proposed postponing the hosting until the next Games in 2023 as it is notready for the task.
Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuclauded the substantial determination of the culture, sports and tourism sector,as well as of Hanoi and the relevant ministries and agencies.
Hosting the events is both the responsibility and honour ofVietnam as a constructive member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), he said, adding that this is also a chance to promote the Vietnameseland and people.
The leader asked Hanoi to continue to completeinfrastructure, set forth a detailed plan on the organisation of the events,and mobilise the participation of different economic sectors in these efforts.
The sports sector should make preparations to reach thehighest results at the tournament, he said.
According to the MCST, SEA Games 31 is scheduled to last forabout 17 days and Para Games 11, around 11days, from October to December 2021. About 11,000 athletes and coaches areexpected to participate in SEA Games 31, with some 2,100 to join Para Games 11. -VNA
VNA
