SEA Games 31 - a demonstration of solidarity, friendship: PM

The SEA Games 31 closing ceremony in Hanoi on May 23 evening (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh announced the official closing of the 31st SoutheastAsian Games (SEA Games 31) on May 23, describing the event as a demonstrationof regional solidarity, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

Addressing the closingceremony, he said it was Vietnam’s honour to welcome distinguished guestsand more than 10,000 athletes, coaches, and referees to SEA Games 31 - theregion’s biggest sporting event.

The PM noted the COVID-19pandemic forced the Games to be delayed from November 2021 to May 2022, but it hasmade the countries become even closer together, more united, and determined toweather all difficulties and challenges to successfully organise SEA Games 31.

The countries gathered at theGames to help affirm ASEAN’s vision and mission of solidarity, peace,friendship, cooperation, and development, according to the Vietnamese leader.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the SEA Games 31 closing ceremony on May 23. (Photo: VNA)

Minister of Culture, Sportsand Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said thesuccess of SEA Games 31 was reflected in not only efforts by hosts Vietnam butalso other countries’ wholehearted support, the medals, new records, as well astheir honesty and nobility, promising a bright future for the region’s sports.

He noted 1,759 medals wereawarded, including 525 golds, 522 silvers, and 712 bronzes, while 30 newrecords set. Vietnam went down in the Games’ history with 205 gold medals and17 records.

At the closing ceremony, theOrganising Committee honoured four athletes with outstanding performance,namely swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang and runner Nguyen Thi Oanh of Vietnam, swimmerJing Wen Quah of Singapore, and runner Joshua Robert Atkinson of Thailand.

Vietnam also handed over theSoutheast Asian Games Federation flag to Cambodia, which will host the 32nd SEA Games in 2023./.

VNA