Lam Quang Thanh, head ofthe Vietnamese sports delegation at the 27th SEA Games, which wrappedup in Myanmar on December 22, has spoken highly of the team’sachievement at the event.
With 73 gold (three morethan the set target), Vietnam ranked third in the medal tally afterThailand , which secured 107 golds, and host Myanmar with 86 golds.
According to Thanh, some of the sports, which were ofVietnam ’s strength, such as gymnastics and fencing, were excludedin this Games, causing difficulties to the team.
Referees’ unfair decisions were also another reason limiting the chancesfor Vietnamese athletes to win gold medals in martial arts, he said.
The most difficulty, in his opinion, was the athletes’ injuries before and during the event.
The official further said after SEA Games 27, the athletes willcontinue with their training in preparation for the 14th Asian Games,ASIAD 14, in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, next year.
After 11 official days of competition, the 27th SEA Games closed inNay Pyi Taw, marking an end of a prestigious tournament for whichathletes spent two years in training.
Addressing the ceremony,Tint San, Union Minister of Sports, said: "During the Games, athleteshave won medals by showing strong determination, great courage and truesportsmanship. Although the religions, cultures and traditions aredifferent for each country, all the athletes have participated to createseveral proud moments for the games and show the power of sports tounite people."
"The SEA Games also provided clear evidence of thetremendous spirit of friendship and unity among ASEAN member countries.I am convinced that, in the near future, with the help of the close anddeep relations among members, the sports sector and its standards willimprove rapidly across the region," he noted.
The 28th SEA Games,which will have 30 sports, is scheduled to be held in the summer of2015, from June 5-16, in Singapore.-VNA
Coach targets naturalised players to improve team
Highlighting the importance of integrating naturalised and overseas Vietnamese players amid a generational shift in the sport, coach Kim Sang-sik said: "I am committed to seeking dual-nationality players. This is not just a global trend but a common practice in Asian football, which will significantly boost our competitiveness on the international stage."
